As the mid point of my fourth year of undergrad approaches, I found myself feeling nostalgic for high school. The easy assignments, the close proximity of friends, and still being able to live at home and enjoy meals that weren’t created in the microwave. Of course, this nostalgia left as quickly as it came. I began to remember all of the absurd rules and regulations we were prey to in high school. I welcome you to look back at moments in high school that did not make sense to me then, and still don’t make sense to me now:
- You had to ask to go to the bathroom. As in, put your hand up and ask in front of the entire classroom of your peers. The teacher actually had the right to control your bodily functions. You could also be questioned for taking longer than they expected. Horrifying.
- Textbooks were free. Yes, read that again; they gave us our textbooks for free! No waiting in long lines at the bookstore in stifling heat just to have the privilege of shelling over a small fortune for course materials. We didn’t realize it at the time, but we were living the dream.
- They actually took the time for morning announcements. Insignificant things such as the weather forecast or inspirational quotes were read over a PA to everyone. Every morning. Like most students, I now get my school information exclusively from email or twitter. Although I do miss hearing “Oh Canada” every morning.
- It began at 8am every day, meaning that if I wanted to look half decent and slap on some make up I had to wake up at 6:45. The thought that I used to get up at 6:45 AM everyday is enough to make me never want to look back to high school days. Now if I am at a 9:30 AM class without looking like death, I feel that I have accomplished something.
- You weren’t allowed to eat or drink in class. Simply put, I would not be able to make it through lectures without coffee and snacks to dull the slow pain of learning.
- Cell phones could be confiscated if you were caught using it during class. No snap chatting study selfies or tweeting professor’s awkward anecdotes for high schoolers.
- With the exception of spares, you were there from 8am- 2 pm, Monday- Friday. As a student who currently enjoys 2 days off a week, this is my definition of hell.
- They had meet the teacher days for parents. As in, teachers talked about your grades, your behaviours, and what they thought about you to your parents and NOT directly to you. Great plan of action, guys.
- You got in trouble for showing up late or not coming at all. In University, professors frankly don’t give a sh*t if you come to class or not, as they get paid regardless. Too hung over to make it to 10 30 class? Say “bye” to those precious participation marks.
- Prom is depicted as the equivalent of the Oscars, only a lot less alcohol and a lot more awkward teenagers. It is hyped up and discussed practically from the first days of September. Like the Oscars, too much money is spent, too many pictures are taken, and outfits are hotly debated. And God forbid if two girls happen to get the same dress as each other.
Yes, graduating is very scary. But looking back helped me realize that change is also exciting. Yes, high school was easier and represents a much simpler time in my life,but nothing is perfect. University has been a (mostly) amazing experience and, when it ends, something else just as good will come along. Also, I am extremely grateful that I never have to return to high school.