By: Emma Millie
Being a student in high school can be an incredibly overwhelming experience if not handled the right way. And I'm not only talking about the pressure of getting good grades, having extracurriculars, having leadership experiences, and an exceptional curriculum to “wow” college admissions officers. The social pressures of being well-liked, having tons of friends, and being happy and smiling all the time are IMMENSE. But, have we ever stopped and wondered why? From Serena Van Der Woodsen to Regina George, we have been taught how “the main character” is always popular at the beginning of the show. Who are you if you are not talked about? No one. But, is this it? Are you no one in high school if you only have two or three friends? This is a myth. And let me tell you it’s completely wrong. Gilmore Girls, Legally Blonde, Modern Family, 13 Going on 30, 10 Things I Hate About You, Easy A, and many more give us an example of this situation. Kat Stratford wasn't super popular at school, neither was Rory or Elle Woods at Harvard. But all these characters have one thing in common: They don't care about popularity. Why should they? If we look at the factors that matter in school, none of them have to do with being popular. Sure, it’s nice to look back on “old times” and remember how you had lots of friends. But there is no shame in having a small group of friends, and some may argue it's even better. Having a close-knit web of friends could be a sign of strength, loyalty, and honesty in a friendship. Why are we so focused on having so many friends at school? I’ve had many people in my life– especially in high school who were so fixated on being popular and partying that they lost valuable friendships along the way.Sure, not all students feel this way. Personally, I never did. But being in high school right now, I see many students so upset and affected by this.I think it’s awesome to have many friends at school and be popular, but if you’re low-key and have 3 or 4 friends, why should you feel bad? I never had more than 4 close friends in high school and I feel I had so many valuable experiences in high school. Because school isn't just about who you know and who talks about you–it’s about the lessons you learn from experiences that may be good or bad, it’s the experiences you set out for yourself. I had so many activities in high school from which I learned so much. I had friendships that marked me for the better and also, for the worse. These experiences, especially if they’re not great right now, will allow you to look at life from a different perspective in the future. If you’re going through something difficult at school, remember, you are not alone. Sometimes, we fight battles that no one else sees, and it’s crucial to remember that the lessons we learn from experiences we embody are the key to building character and strength. Sometimes, we forget that we are still learning. We learn something new every day, whether it's good or bad. This is key to moving forward and embarking on new things.Your worth isn't measured by popularity–focus on what truly matters.