High School: It Doesn't Last Forever

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High School: It Doesn't Last Forever



High school can be a totally different world. A world filled with social pressure, trying to fit in, attempting to find yourself, and figuring out who you are. Naturally, everyone has different high school experiences. Some kids are "popular" while others are lower on the social hierarchy. This take could be meant for anyone but it's mainly directed at those who don't really fit in, those who may be considered nerds, geeks, loners, or outcasts. Maybe they are bullied, don't have a lot of friends, and are just trying to get through high school in one piece.


Speaking as someone who has been there, I understand how much high school can really suck sometimes. Some people may not understand because for some, high school is "the golden years" but for those who don't quite fit in, it isn't so much fun. Personally, I hated high school. Whoever said the high school years will be your best years lied. Well, they either lied or have lived a pretty disappointing adult life.


When I was in high school, I didn't have very many friends and was probably considered a "loner." Some people would talk to me ocassionally but there was no one who I was really close with. I played volleyball which was probably the highlight of my life in high school. I enjoyed that escape and being able to be active but I still felt left-out most of the time regarding my peers. I suppose I was just different and as we all know, human beings in general have a tendency to ostracize those who are different.


I used to dread waking up and going to school. It's hard eating lunch pretty much by yourself because even if you're sitting at a table with other people, no one bothers to speak to you or acknowledge your existance. Bullying was rampant in my high school, not just towards me but anyone who wasn't necessarily "popular." I spent most of my high school career thinking there was something wrong with me. I spent a lot of time thinking that if I wasn't so introverted and if I could just have the nerve to stand up for myself, then things would be better.


I didn't know back then how little high school would matter after graduation. I didn't know how different things could be once I joined the real world. Now that I'm past that part of my life, I look back and think to myself, "Why was I so focused on trying to be friends with those people who treated me poorly?" "Why did I care so much about being accepted by a group of people who prided themselves on bullying those who were different?" Being out of high school has opened my eyes to what really matters in life.


Since being in college, I have met amazing people who accepted me for the way I am. I can say that I may not have a lot of friends, but the friends I do have are true and irreplaceable. I will be beginning an internship this summer related to my college major which I am very excited about. Overall, I'm happy with where my life is headed. I'm getting my degree and plan on doing so much in my future. Looking back at high school, I realize that those were not the best years of my life, not by a long shot.


College and the years ahead of me are the real "best years." When I can establish myself in a career, be married, start a family, I feel like those will be the best years of my life beause they're far more meaningful than being popular or having a lot of friends in high school.


So to those kids who are feeling hopeless right now in high school, just keep your head up and keep pushing through because the years ahead of you will hopefully be worth so much more than your time in high school. Whether or not you choose to attend college is a personal decision and even if you don't go to college, there's still so many possibilities for your future. People change as they get older, you will continue to grow as a person and develop your sense of self. You'll most likely never see those "popular" people again so their opinions of you do not matter.


I'm not saying life is guaranteed to be perfect after high school. For many people, there will still be certain struggles and hardships. I'm simply saying that high school doesn't last forever, even though it might seem like it. These days are only temporary and once it's over, you'll realize that there's so much more to life than the things you were worried, sad, or anxious about in high school.


So my point is, don't let your current sadness creep in and wash away the dreams and goals your mind is creating for your future. In a few years, when you're out of the tornado called adolescence, you'll come to realize that high school and all the drama that permeates it really isn't all that important in life.


High School: It Doesn't Last Forever


High School: It Doesn't Last Forever
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