High School

[ticklishdanny]

We had a graduation assembly today and it made me realize that high school is almost over. I looked back at freshman, sophomore, and junior year and wondered how different my high school experience would have been had I done things a little differently. I was supposed to be heading off to college this fall but after looking at the costs of the school I wanted to go to, I decided that I'd be much better off at community college. Overall high school wasn't too great for me, had an awesome circle of friends, but didn't really make the most out of these four years. I wasn't socially awkward but I wasn't the person you could really talk to either. I know a few people that were picked on quite often that couldn't be more happy to leave it all behind. Sadly I probably won't be going to senior prom, but at least I save around two hundred bucks. So how was your high school experience? Good? Bad? Were there things that you wish you could have done differently?

 

[BellybTickler]

I was outed in High School .. I hated just about every aspect of it.

 

[GQguy]

Dude!!!

Go to prom. The $200 is well worth it. You might not even have fun, but you'll regret it if you dont go.

I didn't make the most of my high school years socially, but that made college an even better experience because everything was so new. Community college is smart, but I'd also look into a bigger state school that might have cheaper tution and a program you might want to study. Don't worry about high school, all the girls you didn't ask out but wanted to will either put on 30lbs, have kids in the next few years or will be serving you at Applebee's when you get back home. Focus on making your college experience the best. My college friends were for the first in my life on my level charging hard in their careers, socially, physically and spiritually. I couldn't find that in high school. I'm not sure what your type is but I'm sure at a big school you'll find your niche.

Oh to be in your shoes again....Nah! Do it right and life only gets better bro!

GQ

 

[tickledorange]

Do the community college thing. I'm so glad I did. You don't feel homesick as much, you may run into some people from high school, and you can figure out if you like the major you picked at 1/10 the cost of a 4 year school. Besides, it's easier to be accepted as a transfer student/junior than a freshman.

 

[tcklft]

I say go to Community College--you'll save a lot while you get your general ed outta the way--but go to one on the semester schedule as the units are much easier to transfer than those from schools on a quarterly schedule. (At least they were when I was in college, 20-odd years ago....) Get the best grades you can and have fun.

 

[jonny86]

Go to prom. The $200 is well worth it. You might not even have fun, but you'll regret it if you dont go.

I didn't go and didn't regret a thing. I can tell you of a few girls with some kids and guys on child support who certainly regret going 😛.

Community college is smart, but I'd also look into a bigger state school that might have cheaper tution and a program you might want to study.

Definitely the way to go with only a few exceptions. If you plan on going to grad school in a field with a lot of research (science and engineering mainly) and you want to go to a high powered graduate school, going the 4-year university only route might be worth it. You want undergraduate research experience and that's hard for transfer students to get. That's a bit of an exception though and you're probably already getting ahead of the game with that kind of thinking with community college.

Don't worry about high school, all the girls you didn't ask out but wanted to will either put on 30lbs, have kids in the next few years or will be serving you at Applebee's when you get back home. Focus on making your college experience the best.

Ha, it's so funny how often that happens. I had a friend who I would have asked out if she wasn't taken and she hasn't really done anything in her life. She is a sweetheart, though, which is quite unfortunate. I don't even know if she has a job, let alone a delicious one like a job at Applebee's! I know a good share of girls who have kids and no college education as well and take on minimum wage stuff. However, there were some girls that I liked back in HS that have high paying jobs, families, and all sorts of things that people want in life. Some people do go on to live fantastic lives. One of the things that some people end up realizing is that high school is totally irrelevant. I almost forgot high schools existed once I was in my first year at my university. I had a fun high school experience, too, so it wasn't exactly a great thing that I forgot most of my high school experience. The thing is, if you do anything with your life, you'll probably end up at a university or in a different city or in a work environment that fosters a lot of networking and socializing. With this comes the total inability to keep your entire high school group of friends in your life. A vast majority, if not all, will be displaced by your new life.

 

[GQguy]

I didn't go and didn't regret a thing. I can tell you of a few girls with some kids and guys on child support who certainly regret going 😛.

I guess I misspoke. It's possible that one might not regret going. But there are few once in a lifetime opportunities that cost $200. I didn't have fun at my prom...but i'm glad I went. I think the $200 is worth it either way. For some this would/could be the only time they'll get dressed up in a tux. Give it a shot! The culmination of 12 years (+/-) with such an intimate group will never happen again.

Definitely the way to go with only a few exceptions. If you plan on going to grad school in a field with a lot of research (science and engineering mainly) and you want to go to a high powered graduate school, going the 4-year university only route might be worth it. You want undergraduate research experience and that's hard for transfer students to get. That's a bit of an exception though and you're probably already getting ahead of the game with that kind of thinking with community college.

Going to a four year university was one of the best things i've ever done. It certainly depends on your major but from what I hear community college pales in comparison to a four year university. From the academic programs, social life, watching your school in bowl games/sweet 16 ect ect it will be one of the greatest times of your life. Community college is High School plus.

Ha, it's so funny how often that happens. I had a friend who I would have asked out if she wasn't taken and she hasn't really done anything in her life. She is a sweetheart, though, which is quite unfortunate. I don't even know if she has a job, let alone a delicious one like a job at Applebee's! I know a good share of girls who have kids and no college education as well and take on minimum wage stuff. However, there were some girls that I liked back in HS that have high paying jobs, families, and all sorts of things that people want in life. Some people do go on to live fantastic lives. One of the things that some people end up realizing is that high school is totally irrelevant. I almost forgot high schools existed once I was in my first year at my university. I had a fun high school experience, too, so it wasn't exactly a great thing that I forgot most of my high school experience. The thing is, if you do anything with your life, you'll probably end up at a university or in a different city or in a work environment that fosters a lot of networking and socializing. With this comes the total inability to keep your entire high school group of friends in your life. A vast majority, if not all, will be displaced by your new life.

Sure there are some women that stay attractive after high school, but can you really compare those women to those you met at college? Did you go to a four year school or community college. I went to Pitt and graduated from Arizona State....we had more hot talented chics in one sorority than my entire home city.

Trust me...if you can go to Arizona State....Go!!!!!

GQ<---Sun devils

 

[Crazy Wabbit]

....I looked back at freshman, sophomore, and junior year and wondered how different my high school experience would have been had I done things a little differently.

Danny, to a certain extent, I think everyone does. You're definitely not alone as far as that's goes.

I was supposed to be heading off to college this fall but after looking at the costs of the school I wanted to go to, I decided that I'd be much better off at community college.

I think you'll be too. That way, you can get, if not all, most of your prerequisites out of the way. It would be very difficult on you to jump from going straight from high school to a traditional college setting. They would expect you to be able to keep up with the rest of them. I had a friend whose relative was a professor at Ohio State and the failure rate for those who are not able to keep up with the rest of the class is about 30% to a third.

.....I wasn't socially awkward but I wasn't the person you could really talk to either.

I was socially inept, but that was due to the fact that I was raised by elderly people who didn't go out and mingle with others. So, I never gained the tools needed to socialize with others.

I know a few people that were picked on quite often that couldn't be more happy to leave it all behind.....

I can't that that I would leave ALL of my memories behind. But at the same time, I don't think there was too much to write home about. There's some that I cherish, but at the same time, they are also very few.

So how was your high school experience? Good? Bad?

See the above.

Were there things that you wish you could have done differently?

Yes. And that would be: 1) Not to have been so serious and taken everything to heart, 2) to have lightened up, and 3) had a sense of humor. Had I done those things, I think I would have been much better off and things would have gone a lot differently for me.

I often had a miserable time in school as a result of my own meekness and my peers being unable to handle that, but also I observed how they acted and decided that despite popularity not being important, they would leave me alone if I socialised more.....

I think that was pretty much what happened with me. Except I didn't socialize because I had anxiety issues and felt that really would have instigated it even further. Ever seen the movie My Cousin Vinny? Remember the one attorney with the stuttering problem? I would've been like that had I tried to socialize with others. What's funny, though, is back then if they would've laughed at me about it, I would've taken it to heart and got mad about it. Today, when I look back, I am now able to laugh at myself for it.

....If I went back would I change it? No. Why? Because it resulted in who I am today, and I'm happy with who I am.

For me, I would. Ever hear the expression that the world is constantly changing, but you cannot let the world change you? Well, I personally believe what I went through changed who I once was. And I often wonder had I been popular or had, as you put it, great experiences that others did, maybe it wouldn't have changed me and, because there is always room for improvement, I would've became a better person? But then again, I've always been my own worst critic, so who really knows for sure?

....With this comes the total inability to keep your entire high school group of friends in your life....

From my own person first hand experience, this would be something I would consider irrelevant, due to the fact that even though you might have been friends in high school does not automatically mean that you'll be friends with those people later on, even if you were to somehow get back in touch with them.

The reason why I am saying this is because I've met a few since graduation. Some of them I considered good friends back then too. However, when I walked up and tried to talk to them, they remembered me, but they acted in such a manner as if there was a certain cold or callousness, as if they had an indifferent attitude towards catching up, reminiscing over the good old days or even curious as to how I turned out, what I made out of myself, and what I did for a living, nor did they seem like they wanted to discuss anything about themselves.

So, people do in fact change. But sometimes it's not for the better, as I found out.

 

[Coup de Grace]

You'll realize sooner or later that High School never ends. Once you graduate, there are different levels of High School.

As far as regrets, I wish I had attended my Senior Prom. I don't think I missed all that much, but it was an opportunity I let slide that I will never get back. In addition, I kind of regret not exploring and following through with some relationships. I let my fear of rejection keep me from living to the fullest. Once I started attending college, all bets were off and I got mine. 😛

Another thing I regret is not applying myself with my studies. I could have been a 3.0 student with little effort, but I settled because I was lazy and hated homework. I always did well in English, but couldn't care less about anything else when it came to schoolwork... and I hated math with a firey passion.

 

[jonny86]

I guess I misspoke. It's possible that one might not regret going. But there are few once in a lifetime opportunities that cost $200. I didn't have fun at my prom...but i'm glad I went. I think the $200 is worth it either way. For some this would/could be the only time they'll get dressed up in a tux. Give it a shot! The culmination of 12 years (+/-) with such an intimate group will never happen again.

Yeah I suppose an argument can be made that it's cheap enough to just try it anyways. There certainly are more than a few lifetime opportunities that cost only $200! Try skydiving 😀

Going to a four year university was one of the best things i've ever done. It certainly depends on your major but from what I hear community college pales in comparison to a four year university. From the academic programs, social life, watching your school in bowl games/sweet 16 ect ect it will be one of the greatest times of your life. Community college is High School plus.

This is actually indicative of the problem with how many people view college. Universities cost a LOT of money and for the first two years you will take undergrad GE courses. Those courses are the exact same everywhere so you really must ask yourself if watching a few football and basketball games and wasting time around sorority houses is worth a few tens of thousands of dollars. In an economy where 1/2 of all recent college graduates are under/unemployed, that's a horrible decision to make. A quick check shows that at ASU, in-state tuition for 2 extra years would put you back another $20k. For kids who probably have never seen $20k in their lives, that's not something to sneeze at and ignore for football and girls.

Sure there are some women that stay attractive after high school, but can you really compare those women to those you met at college? Did you go to a four year school or community college. I went to Pitt and graduated from Arizona State....we had more hot talented chics in one sorority than my entire home city.

Considering many are using CC as a stepping stone to a 4-year, they're pretty much the same people. I went the direct 4-year track (although I was the exception I mentioned above pursuing a high-powered graduate school), but tuition back then was $900 a semester. The arguments between going to a CC instead of a 4-year were much weaker.

Universities are not social clubs despite how Universities want the general public to think they are. They are happy to take your tuition while you waste your years at parties and sorority houses. You don't even have to attend a university to enjoy the benefits of the social aspect of a university. Just know someone who is and you have an in to all the parties, if you must.

 

[Skipadeedoodah]

I was kind of a different person in high school. I had a good time, overall, but I was quieter, more reserved. I have a weird sense of humor that not everyone always gets, and I didn't embrace it until well after high school. There were a few years in there where I had a lot of anger and I got into my share of brawls.

I miss it, though - for sure. Everything was so easy.

FWIW, I didn't go to prom either, because my boyfriend was over 21 so they wouldn't let him come, and I've never regretted it.

 

[GQguy]

Yeah I suppose an argument can be made that it's cheap enough to just try it anyways. There certainly are more than a few lifetime opportunities that cost only $200! Try skydiving 😀

Skydiving isn't once in a life time. I have a couple jumps. I'm a pilot so i'll likely get my jump wings eventually. My prom...will never happen again. The definition of "once in a lifetime"

This is actually indicative of the problem with how many people view college. Universities cost a LOT of money and for the first two years you will take undergrad GE courses. Those courses are the exact same everywhere so you really must ask yourself if watching a few football and basketball games and wasting time around sorority houses is worth a few tens of thousands of dollars. In an economy where 1/2 of all recent college graduates are under/unemployed, that's a horrible decision to make. A quick check shows that at ASU, in-state tuition for 2 extra years would put you back another $20k. For kids who probably have never seen $20k in their lives, that's not something to sneeze at and ignore for football and girls.

In state tuition was 5,000 a semester or so when I attended. So an added 10K over those two years. I started off as a physics major and finished of as an electrical engineer. By sophomore year I'd would have already outclassed every community college in my home city and Phoenix. I wouldn't recommend going to the four year school just for the perks without a job prospect in mind. College is for future employment after all. For in demand degrees, i'd highly recommend it. For not so in demand degrees....not so much.

There's also the life lessons one learns by being on their own for the first time.

Universities are not social clubs despite how Universities want the general public to think they are. They are happy to take your tuition while you waste your years at parties and sorority houses. You don't even have to attend a university to enjoy the benefits of the social aspect of a university. Just know someone who is and you have an in to all the parties, if you must.

Some have it all, a reputable degree program, a great job upon graduation and a social life that still yields new contacts years after you cross the stage. Oh and I can't forget the memories. I guess ignorance is bliss. I work hard at my job now and I love it but if I could pause time and live at any point in my life it would have been my college years. I would use my vacation days just to live my old life again.

And there is no such thing as "time wasted at sorority houses" such blasphemes. Geez.

I guess the best opinion would come from an individual that did both community college and the big school and benefited from both in it's entirety.