So you’re starting the next chapter of your life, and I can already guarantee that you’ll have a blast! However, there are some things you should know about high school social life before you dive right in. Here’s everything I wish I knew about high school my freshman year.
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1. You Won’t Eat Lunch in a Bathroom Stall
You can breathe a sigh of relief! That common scene in teen chick flicks of a new girl eating her sandwich in a bathroom stall… that won’t happen. I mean, unless you really love bathroom stalls, which I doubt you do. But making friends is surprisingly easy in high school, especially freshman year when everyone is new and trying to figure out where exactly they fit in. You’ll probably run into people you knew in middle school, otherwise you’ll make new friends in class. If worst comes to worst, don’t hesitate to pull up a chair next to a total stranger and ask to eat lunch with them—odds are they’ll say yes!
2. Parties Are a Thing
I didn’t realize that people actually partied until around senior year. And by then, it was too late for me to jump in on that scene! Do I wish I was a constant party-goer? Definitely not. But do I wish I had seen it for myself, done something a little rebellious for once, and had a true high school experience for one night? Of course! At the end of high school, you won’t regret the things you did as much as you’ll regret missing out on opportunities to try new things. Keep that in mind when it comes to expanding your social horizons!
*That’s not a free pass to go crazy though! Be responsible and make wise choices.
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3. Being Smart Isn’t Lame
The friendless-nerdy girl stereotype is just about as inaccurate as the lunch in a bathroom stall scenario. It’s actually really cool to be smart! You’ll make way more interesting friends, get the right attention from guys, and earn respect from your peers and teachers. So never dumb yourself down to come off as more fun or approachable; try your hardest and people will admire your intellect!
4. Being Pretty Isn’t Everything
Honestly, most people in high school don’t care about looks that much. You’ll be surprised by how many people wear sweatpants and messy buns to school every day! I was the girl who would wear heels and dresses to school all the time, but that was just my personal style. I never felt pressured to be pretty just to avoid mocking, and neither will you! Be yourself, whether that means wearing as much makeup as a Kardashian or going au natural; people will like you for who you are.
5. People Aren’t Always What They Seem
High School isn’t black and white—that’s another myth! You won’t come across a clan of “plastics” who you know right away are bad news. Instead, it might be the shy, quiet girl who is a total brat and a gorgeous cheerleader who is genuinely kind. You can’t judge a book by its cover—or in this case, your classmates by movies!
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The reality is, high school is like a kaleidoscope of personalities. You'll meet the student council president who's struggling at home, or the football star who's actually a math whiz. Friendships can bloom from the most unexpected encounters, and your closest allies might turn out to be those you once overlooked. The key is to stay open-minded, as the real characters of your peers unfold with time, not at a glance.
6. Your Parents Won’t Ruin Your Life
Almost everyone has parents, most people have extremely lame parents! No one will dislike you because yours are weird, say “I love you” too often, make you ask permission to go out, etc. Just respect your parents because they love you!
7. Judgmental People Are Avoidable
I make high school sound like it’s a walk through the park—it isn’t. There are some really judgmental people out there. But, they are avoidable. If you have a bad experience with someone, there’s no need to hang out with them. It’s okay to have a small group of genuine friends, rather than several judgmental friends who will ultimately have a bad impact on your high school experience.
Overall, high school is what you make of it! But high school social life definitely isn’t as traumatizing as movies or TV shows make it seem! What are you most concerned about when it comes to high school social life?
Comments
Sophie52701: My first couple weeks have actually been pretty good, besides geometry
euphraxia: thankyou! I'm starting highschool on september 9th, this was helpful :)
Alyx: I'm in Canada and we don't use freshman or things like that so I'm unsure of the years but aren't 1 and the one about parties kinda contradictory? You say it's easy to make friends but they never invited you to parties? My first year in high school I ate outside because the cafeteria was packed and had no empty tables, and I hadn't made "friends" for months. I had people I talked to during class, but we never talked outside of those classes but I even knew about all the parties. I didn't drink so I didn't go to any, and nobody wanted to go with me but I always knew where they were. You don't always make friends. And that's fine. You probably won't talk to them once you are past 19-22 anyway. Once you go to university or start working in "real" full time jobs, you make more friends that replace those you got in high school.
Amanda: I eat alone in a bathroom stall lol even still in grade 10
Tiffany: I barely remembered much of my freshman year. It must've not been very good :/ I personally hated high school. But I was the Loner, so that didn't help. I'm too darn shy :(
Katt: thanks 4 this my baby sister , really thought it was helpfuln. and I couldn't remember my Freshman year at all!
Skylar: that is all SO TRUE. I've been a freshman for 5 weeks and I agree with these statements!
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