This is my first post, but I’m going to jump right in… so, here I go!
I’m a high-schooler, and not too long ago I was a middle-schooler. So I’d say I probably recognize a lot of things on a social level in schools that adults don’t. It also probably doesn’t hurt that I pride myself in being exceptionally observant. I notice trends as they develop, for one, though that’s not really what I’m referring to here. It’s just a way of noting the way I observe… well, it makes sense in my head, at any rate.
Anyway, the first point I want to make here is that PEOPLE LIKE TO FEEL IMPORTANT. Especially teenage people, who are under an insane amount of stress. Our egos are swollen from the bruises dealt by bad grades and disappointed (or disappointing) parents. Your ego is swollen too – you’re not immune to this, and neither am I. Why do you think I’m starting a blog? Personally, I’ll do anything for an excuse to tell a story that’s going to make people jealous of me – whether it’s this brand-new laptop I just got, or the fact that my parents were in the news once (Long story. I’ll have to tell you sometime). And even though I know that people aren’t going to be jealous of the fact that I live on a lake, I don’t know. I just like the feeling that I think people might be jealous. I hope that makes sense, because I’m not quite sure how else to express it. Oooh, grades are another great source of triumph, too. Those are slightly more excusable to blatantly brag about, but that also carries a downside in that if you’re a straight-A student in all advanced classes (that’s me, but I’d never brag about it) and you brag about it, you’re a nerd. The path I choose to take is to just COINCIDENTALLY leave my grades up on my computer when I get up for a moment, or ask my friends about their classes and then hope they ask about mine. Even if they’re not impressed or don’t care, it’s an ego boost.
Second topic: FEMMUNICATION.
Lame word, yes? But I bet you immediately knew what I was talking about: that secret way that we teenage girls have of communicating with each other that adults and guys don’t understand. It’s not texting or anything material. But what it is is a series of looks or words with hidden meanings… if the guy who sits next to me in World History is particularly obnoxious, and I notice one of my friends glancing at me from around the room, we’ll hold each other’s eyes for a moment. Then, magically, she’ll smirk or something, and I’ll know she understands my frustration. It’s like Twinspeak, but different. On the other side of the scale, however, are those words that go so much deeper than they seem. I recall quite vividly that several years ago, two girls – best friends – sort of latched on to me during religious school. Now, I know that they thought then – and probably still believe now – that I had utterly no clue what they were up to. But I’ve always been sensitive to patronizing, and that’s exactly what they did. I suppose I deserved it then; my picture was next to DORK in the dictionary. I’m SO glad you didn’t know me back then. But basically, if someone whose guts you hate suddenly wants to do everything with you, and tell you how much they love your ridiculous Converse from the TJMaxx clearance rack (not all shoes at TJ are awful, but these looked like bowling shoes and saddle shoes combined), and happens to sneak grins at their friend who is also doing everything with you and complimenting your godawful shoes, then something’s up.
By the way, if you’re that one girl who has the voice that naturally goes up at the end of every sentence and who sounds like she’s constantly teasing people, I pity you and am pissed off at you at the same time. If you hurt someone’s feelings (not mine but a close friend of mine) every time you open your mouth, which you do quite a bit – STFU. Thanks.
Oh, and one more thing.
Teachers, if you’re reading this:
STUDENTS TEXT DURING CLASS. I know how on the first day of the term you tell horror stories about what you do with cell phones, but I think we’re both keenly aware of the fact that you only ever stop students you have something against. I mean, I know some people can be really good at hiding it, but c’mon – you’re staring right at them, and their eyes and hands are in their lap (the eyes metaphorically, of course). And you really expect that the girl with perfect highlights and manicure is playing with a calculator? You’re a teacher for a reason. You must be somewhat intelligent. If you think we don’t notice the way you English and Visual Art (as a writer I am adamant on the fact that “art class” is a ridiculous misnomer) teachers (who have the most room for flexibility) give all As to students who have your f-ing PHONE NUMBER – CREEPER ALERT! – then I don’t think you should be a teacher. Give us some credit. We’re smarter than that, and you should know because you’re responsible for making us so. God, I can’t wait until I take psych.
Anyway, that’s all I can think of for now. Until next time: Get your acts together! I do worry about our generation (though if we continue at this pace I should have no problem getting into Yale, which is really the goal here), so you’ve got some work to do. Me? I’ll worry about that… or I won’t.
