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I think it’d be interesting to see everyone after high school and see how they all turned out,” my friend Kate said one night.
“Yeah, right,” I snorted.
“Well, you know, the high school experience is kind of like a pressure cooker, and I’m just wondering what these people are like outside of that environment.”
I rolled my eyes.
We debated for some time afterwards and found no conclusive answers. I have and will always loathe the ordeal that was high school. While there I felt like a tiger in the zoo, caged and constantly being watched. I had no intention of ever going to a high school reunion or even keeping up with anyone who wasn’t already a close friend. More than anything, I wanted to cut all ties from that place, start over fresh and get on with my life.
So imagine my surprise when I ran into a guy I had graduated with, and Kate’s hypothesis was put to the test. Andrew was someone who had everything going for him.
He was, and still is, wicked smart, if a bit reserved. He was in the running for valedictorian and graduated with honors. I can’t remember one instance where he displeased our grumpy AP English teacher.
During scholarships night, he won what seemed like a million dollars and would have no trouble whatsoever making ends meet or even worrying about cash during college.
This was a guy who had it all together.
On the other hand, I was a snarky outsider who constantly displeased our AP teacher and others. I wasn’t even a factor in the class rankings, and I got a whopping total of one scholarship: Even so, I was gypped out of 25 bucks.
A year after graduation, I ran into Andrew at a mutual friend’s party. Admittedly, I’d seen him in the hall on a fairly regular basis after my Classical Mythology class, but we’d exchanged little more than “I-acknowledge-your-presence” head nods.
I had no idea what was going on in his life until the aforementioned day we met. After discussing anime, vampires and debating sci-fi vs. fantasy, he opened up about his college experience. For the record, I have no idea why he decided to tell me this information.
He’d had two roommates from hell. All his classes were completely awful and insanely difficult. The stress was getting to him, and his depression kicked in full-throttle and screwed with every aspect of his life. He said he was considering taking a semester off and going to SCC for awhile.
I’d never seen anyone so utterly defeated. From looking at him, I predicted that it was only a matter of time before he threw in the towel.
I’ll admit it, I enjoyed this. Schadenfreude hit hard. I couldn’t help myself.
So far, my college experience has been awesome. I’ve met fascinating people, taken amazing classes with cool professors and had some wild adventures. Admittedly, a lot of crap has been thrown my way, but I refuse to let it rule my life. Instead I am working on changing those things or moving past them.
That exchange raised a lot of questions in my mind. First of all, why weren’t we friends in high school? We dig all the same nerdy stuff, and he can actually keep up with me in conversation.
Second, how could someone so smart be so miserable? Andrew, of all people, should be able to figure out what makes him happy and just go for it.
Lastly, you and your friends actually read my column? Seriously?
Andrew, if you’re reading this now, pay attention. Right now, you’re on a dangerous path trod by many of those who were considered the best and brightest back in high school. I know personally that some of these people freaked out and now play World of Warcraft in their parent’s basement. Ask yourself this very important question: Do you want to be that person?
If you don’t snap out of this funk you’re in now, you will be. You’re struggling right now because you’ve had things handed to you. Things were easy, and you didn’t have to work hard. Now you do.
I also think you haven’t found a field of study you’re passionate about.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m empathic to your situation, but make no mistake, I’m not sympathetic. Suck it up. Or better yet, get the help you need. CAPS exists for a reason.
Just because your college experience hasn’t been the mystical, magical, wild adventure you thought it would be doesn’t mean that it isn’t worth your time. Come on, did you expect to play beer pong with unicorns and super-hot co-eds? Be realistic.
And if you’re reading this, Kate, I owe you a cup of cheap coffee.
Rhiannon Root is a sophomore journalism major. Reach her at rhiannonroot@dailynebraskan.com.
