Coming to college I had so much fun telling people that I went to an all-girl Catholic High School. The looks and questions I got were so worth it. It was always, “Was there a lot of drama?” or my favorite, “Did you ever talk to boys?”
My four years walking the halls of my high school were four years that brought me some really tough times and things I wish I could do over, but I wouldn’t go to a different high school if I had the chance.
It took me 10 minutes max, to get ready. It was questionable if my hair was brushed or washed within the past 2 days and that was the norm because if you wore your hair down, wore ANY kind of makeup, or you actually put time into your hair, you were questioned by everyone and anyone why you look dressed up and what you are doing after school. It was really nice, not going to lie, but I think I benefitted more than just a few extra minutes of sleep. With not feeling like I needed to look “nice” or put together I was exposed. Every blemish on my face and ever crazy hair, I felt more and more comfortable with being who I was. Going from freshman year where I would wear cover up and mascara every day to senior year were I was competing with my classmates over who could grow their leg hair the longest, I got extremely comfortable with myself and to this day I feel the same.
No boy in my class was the best thing ever. I’m not the type to sit and stare at the cute guy in class and not focus, that wasn’t the problem, but I am the type to keep to myself if I need help and I never felt comfortable raising my hand, but high school changed that. Without fear of the boys in my class picking on me, I raised my hand more and asked for help more often. Also, it wasn’t just in the classroom where I benefited. No boys in the entire school opened up so many opportunities, leadership positions, more sports offered, and so much more. We all could be editors, presidents, leader of this club and that club and so many things, so we all were experienced and knew how to lead. Also, we weren’t overpowered by football, we all supported each other no matter if you played basketball or tennis.
You mattered.
You weren’t limited to one group of people. Truly no one is limited to only hang out with people from their school. Anyone can make friends anywhere, but for us, we had the girls we went to school guaranteed, but any boys or other girls we had to go out and meet. For me, I loved staying within my comfort zone and still to this day do, but having to actually meet others I made some really great friendships and it pushed me to go and meet new people.
I’ve become more vocal. I’m not the loudest person in a room, that’s not what I mean, but I’m not afraid to state my opinion. If I feel something I say it, if I think something I say it. In high school we didn’t sugar coat things, we were all so comfortable with each other that truly no one filtered anything because there was about 100 of us in our grade and we spent four years together, so we were comfortable. Coming to college, I had no hesitation saying what I thought in a discussion or voicing my opinion in front of others, it was natural at that point.
I made a friendship that will last a lifetime. Any person can create a long lasting friendship anywhere at any time, but going through the traditions, schedule, and experiences with my best friend I understand things that no one else will understand and vice versa. I may not still be best friends with every single girl I graduated with, but those girls have a place in my heart that no one else can fill. After years of wearing the same outfit and becoming the strong women we are today, you just know that there’s no one else who can understand you quite like they do.
I don’t think that a single sex school is for everyone, but for those who have gone through it know that if you do stick with it, it will give you strength, confidence, and friendships that last longer than the four years you had to wear plaid.
