For half of my high school experience, I went to an arts school based in Toronto known as Wexford. I was really blessed to be doing what I love every day, that being dancing and acting (alongside my studies). It was a pleasure to walk down the colourful halls of my school, with the lockers all painted with murals from students of previous years. I met some of the wildest people one could meet and experienced so many things in my two years at Wex.
I feel that in pop culture, high school has become very romanticized. Perhaps that comes from the idea that high school is something we can all remember as the time when we were forever young. Now in my second year of university, I look back at some of my high school adventures. I often think about the fact that I very much lived through the classic teen high school movie life: my sophomore year alone was a ride that should’ve been spanned over 4 years, but somehow got crammed all into one.
The journey, however, is definitely one we should all cherish as the most memorable four years of our lives. I have always heard people reminiscing on their high school days, whether they were good or bad, as the “good ol’ days”—the times before adult life started. Even though high school was a tough time for me, I look back at it now and the drama I experienced seems almost irrelevant in comparison to the big picture.
Regardless of the ridiculously embarrassing moments and agitation, high school did bring along some joy, excitement, experiences, new people and places—it brought along a package of new, life-lasting memories.
I experienced some wild parties for the first time during my high school days, I gained a bit more freedom from my parents, and went through my body changing. Of course, Halloween was always a fun event at high school. Whether you dressed up or not, it was always a treat to see the creative costumes that your classmates could come up with, from the classic cat and mouse to the cringiest couples costumes ever.
But what about the gossip? Oh, the drama, the tea…
Let’s admit, while high school drama definitely and without a doubt added stress to our lives, looking back now it was so ridiculous. When you’re in high school, it’s difficult not to feel like your whole world has come crashing down when your enemy stirs up some drama between you and your friend group. But as you grow up and you mature into a young adult, you’ll look back at those high school gossips and talks as something immature—trust me.
Senior prank day was a pain in the butt. I remember one of the pranks the seniors used to pull at my high school was applying Vaseline to the locks on your lockers. Without a miss, my lock got greased up every year, as well as my hand when I would go ahead and attempt to get my textbooks and binders for second period. It was annoying, to say the least…
What kind of article would this be if we didn’t bring up our first love? Ah, yes, the high school crush that we thought we would marry and spend the rest of our lives with. I think we all remember our high school crushes. I’m not talking about the crush you had on that cute jock from the football team, but the one that you fell so head over heels in love with. You know which one I’m talking about, right?
While I do know a few couples from my former high school that have lasted and blossomed to be the “high school sweethearts”, this unfortunately isn’t the case for everyone—most of us deal with “the one that got away”… bummer, I know. Life would be a lot easier if we all met the loves of our lives when we were in school, but most of us have other things to experience first. We’re all on different paths, so it’s okay if you didn’t find “the one” when you were 17.
What about those sporting events?
It was always a blast to go out with your friends and watch your school’s sports team play. The stadium/field was always filled with so much love, screams, cheers and sighs. Those nights can definitely be some of the most memorable during your high school days, and can bring the most bonding between you, your classmates, friends, and even your teachers.
And of course, the night of nights: Prom.
I, unfortunately, did not get to experience prom. I’ve heard so many things about it, from “it’s completely overrated” to “it’s the best night of your teen life”. The closest experience I’ve had to prom was semi-formal night. They’re both similar in the sense of spending the night eating and dancing with your classmates, but prom still holds a special place in high schoolers’ hearts.
I remember prom season vividly, when all the seniors would start asking each other out with the cutest “prom-posals”. Rose petals leading down the halls, friends leading you down the hall with everyone watching, your potential date waiting for you with the cringiest proposal poster… Love was definitely in the air!
There is so much excitement leading up to that special night: buying an outfit, maybe experiencing your first formal event, or even your first intimate dance!
When high school finally ends, however, it is such a bittersweet moment. You’re happy to have your last summer before your adult life starts, and glad you don’t have any more homework. But you realize that you’re slowly entering the real world and you have to leave those precious moments, and sometimes even people, behind.
To anyone reading, specifically to any high schoolers reading, please remember to cherish your high school days and live in the moment. I definitely dreaded some of my high school experiences, but looking back now, I wouldn’t give them up for anything in the world. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t mind reliving some of them again.
High school may seem like the biggest thing (and that’s partially because it sort of is), but it’s temporary and will fly by quick: Enjoy it with everything you’ve got!