Reality Check: What High School Back-To-School Is Really Like
Start writing a post
Sports

Reality Check: What High School Back-To-School Is Really Like

Lanyards aren't cool, guys. Neither are hats that are not fully secured on your head.

319
Reality Check: What High School Back-To-School Is Really Like
Mahi Patel

The first item a student lays eyes on as she or he enters the classroom is the white board. For that short period of time, the entire group of students’ attention is solely dedicated to viewing whatever occurs on the shiny, luminous 72 by 36 inch alabaster coated piece of wood. Students dutifully transcribe what they see on the board to their own personal books, and seemingly, they are able to refute or support any statement made by the teacher with the words, “It was written on the white board.” The board is such an essential piece of the traditional classroom experience; it is almost revered like a Bible or religious text. The board dictates our activities for the day, punishments and rewards. It controls all that occurs in the classroom. It is all powerful.

Grades identify the prey from the predator. People do not know you by name, they know you by grade. They identify and classify you into categories, sub-groups, lists and genus by the numerical barcode in the grade book. Are you A, B, C or F? This translates into: are you an annoying know-it all, a good average student that everyone likes, a bare minimum partier or a waste of space? In this game of survival, grades are the secrets people would like to keep but seemingly cannot. This is a world where numbers trump personality.

Onto to the horrid jungle — the lunchroom. Speaking realistically, there is no civility in the dining that occurs in this concrete box filled with artificially flavored preservatives. You could hardly even call it dining. Socio-economic status can easily be determined by the location of the species in this closed environment. The young men and women who bring their lunch from home cultivate in clusters. They are the lucky chosen. Usually, their lunch consists of items that are falsely advertised as healthy (fruit roll ups, flavored sparkling water, turkey and cheese on white bread). These people believe they are eating delicacies, but honestly, the school lunch may provide better sustenance. The leeches usually lurk around with those who have brought lunch to form a sort of parasitic relationship. They waste the school lunch they bought, and then leech off of the children who brought their lunch from home. Then, there are the humble fungi. The fungi are subtle creatures who buy their lunch from school, and eat it in peace, only accepting bestowed gifts from the chosen if offered. They are the purest of all the species.

The lanyards hanging from the bland, beige khaki shorts of "men" who "can drive" are supposed to create a "cooler than thou" appeal. Sometimes, itworks, but most of the time, it just looks idiotic. Especially if it sways when you walk. It is a superiority complex that effects the behavior of the subject drastically. Take the lanyard away from the man, and he becomes a boy. Without his lanyard and his keys, the average male subject is left powerless in the ruthless environment.

In the paradox that is school, (i.e. it educates us about democracy but proceeds to give us none) the only species that will prevail are those who learn to embrace and adapt to what school really is. The true winners will see through the candy giving professors and their snake-like fellow scholars. We will prevail.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

54957
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

35376
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957519
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

184438
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments