A state of confusion, irritation, uncertainty envelopes the minds of thousands, perhaps hundreds of thousands of adolescents walking amongst many of their kind within the walls of a place where all are forced, yet few enjoy. High school is meant to be a setting of which compels teenagers to “broaden their horizons” or “conquer their dreams” when in reality, it has simply become a venue for awkward situations, loneliness, and few memories worth holding onto in between.
No, no, no. Taking students out of their site of education is most definitely not the correct way to handle this situation. Every young person will have to endure this position at one time or another, and despite my previous description, I am certainly an advocate for schooling children. I myself have gone through this entire experience and can vouch for the value of a high school education despite knowing the arduous effects the social circle will undoubtedly have on each student.
Schooling does not only consist of mathematics, science, history, and language courses, but also of a communal portion which has earlier been spoken of. One can dwell on the seemingly negative aspects such as peer pressure from fellow classmates, parental expectations never to be lived up to, etc, but if looked at through a magnifying lens, these outlooks can be reversed with a positive spin. Though never intentionally wanting to walk through these phases, they have strengthened, prepared, and challenged my faith and also my independence by unimaginable means.
I do not believe there is an easy technique, or any technique for that matter, to distinguish the destructive ways of high school students in general; but there is no doubt in my mind brief, miniscule seconds of relinquished joy, cheer, hope, can assist in adding to those times of what seems like, or may be, despair. Goodness knows how many instances have occurred when the upturning of a friend’s lips or perhaps the words spoken from those same lips, or wait! the mere presence of that friend, has cast a ray of light upon the dreary heart which envelops my whole being.
To many, it may seem unnecessary, the sheer approach of a grin and the few words aptly spoken from another human, but it is most certainly what I live for.
