Isn’t it weird that we tell 14-year-olds that their lives are about to hit their peak? Going into high school is a huge change for many, and the added pressure that it will be “the best four years of your life” does not help.
Students already undergo social and personal changes when transitioning into high school, along with adjusting to the new workload and responsibilities. What people do not know is the added expectations that incoming freshmen have, making their experience and transition all the more confusing. Instead of high school being a time for teens to grow into themselves, they are pressured to get the “correct” experience. When their reality does not meet that expectation, it can confuse them even more and cause them to question what has gone wrong.
To an extent, this expectation comes from how high school is presented in film and television. Popular shows, like “Gilmore Girls” and “Gossip Girl,” along with beloved films, such as “Clueless” and “10 Things I Hate About You,” focus on a very specific high school experience. These productions center on drama, parties and popularity. While some of these aspects can be realistic, it is far from a universal experience. Contrary to the media, many students do not fit into the popular “cliques,” have an abundance of friends or go to parties every weekend – and, that is okay. These films and shows set a standard for teens going into high school, and they can cause students to question why their lives are not like how they imagined them.
What many fail to acknowledge is how much we change between 14 and 18 years old. High school is a huge time of growth for teens who are starting to understand themselves and their mental and physical health. Interests change, friend groups switch and people grow at different speeds. It is okay if high school is not the best years of your life. In fact, for most, it is just a small chapter. Your high school experience is not what defines you. When you think about the rest of your life waiting for you after high school, the four years spent in a school in your hometown are not what you will be remembered for.
