We all remember our high school days. Days where our only worries consisted of ourselves, what others thought, zits, and the opposite sex. We were accustomed to the silly drama and strict schedules. Then we graduate and later on we wish we could go back. And we sit here and think on how we would things would be different and how we would do this or do that. Using what knowledge we have gained now to “totally rule the school.”
I personally had the chance to go back to high school. For personal reasons I was forced to drop out at 16. Mind you, I have a life most people haven’t and had to grow up very fast. I never had much of a chance to be a kid. By the age of 16, I had been working everyday and endured so much. By the time I turned 18, I left that life and started anew. But add in new tasks of the adult life, not much had changes just the area I was living in. This being said I am 18 though people tell me I act as if I were 40.
Now going back to high school seemed like it would be an easy task. I was a little worried about fitting in because I don’t fit in with most people my age or even my old high school friends.
Going to open house alone was an interesting experience. I got my classes, my locker and books. I got my photo take, we took them standing up the left side of our bodies facing the camera. The school was two stories high and had a completely different section for the gyms and the lunch room. I couldn’t open my locker and ended up lost majority of the time. I got frustrated and to top it off I was wearing a new pair of jeans and forgot to take the size sticker off the leg. And it just so happen to be the leg facing the camera. Before I went home a woman stopped me and told me it was there. At least it will be a memorable photo.
My boyfriend was sweet enough to help me out though. We went back the next open house and found all my classes and he helped me figure out my locker.
This may sound dumb, but it was a culture shock. I am from the middle of nowhere where each grade had about 60 kids in each grade. The school I went to was very small as was my town. My high school now has more students in it, not counting seniors, than my entire town did. The students here almost double the population of that town.
But the students and teachers alike found out about my age and some of my story. A girl at my bus stop saw me with my boyfriend, who is older, and had a problem with it. I tried to explain but of course no one wanted to listen. So for a while students flung nasty names around about my boyfriend and myself. The some kids had problems with my age and lifestyle and were telling me to quit and get my GED. It kind of bothered me for a while and occasionally still does but I just remember they’re just kids.
Being older and more mature is difficult when going back to high school. It isn’t as fun as I remembered. I don’t fit in very well because I honestly don’t care about the next episode of “Jersey Shore” or who is dating who. I have bills, money, what I’m going to make for dinner as well as other real life obligations to worry about. That and I raised kids majority of my life I have a tendency to mother the kids. Also, this school is more of an upscale high school and I have never been or will be rich. So while they have manicured nails, perfect hair, I am in jeans and a t-shirt with a messy pony tail.
There are a few plus sides. My grades are awesome. My grades are between 94-100 except math which stays between 80-86. The teachers an staff have been really helpful and kind due to my situation. They see me as a role model rather than a loser that I felt like for not finishing.
So though I really have no school spirit and few friends I am really glad I went back. Does being around 100’s of silly self absorbed kids drive me nuts? Absolutely, it does. Does getting up early and being treated like a child ever bother me? Of course it does. But it’s worth it. I would have forever regretted not getting my diploma. Plus, in about a year and a half it’ll be over and I can move on to bigger and better things, like going to college, hopefully with a scholarship.
