Stereotypes and misconceptions of high school are often portrayed in movies that tend to frighten incoming freshmen, but the reality of high school is experienced throughout the four years dedicated there. Movies such as Mean Girls and High School Musical, tend to put a negative effect on high school life. The movies main usually emphasize the cliques being formed throughout high school. Often students come into high school with the fear of not being able to fit in or associate with others. The negative connotation of cliques allows these incoming freshmen to believe there is no “proper” place for them.
Anjali Badesha, freshman at PitmanHigh School stated, “I was afraid of leaving Dutcher, as well as leaving all my friends and coming to a brand new school where I felt I would never fit in.”
One can argue that these movies are interesting to watch but the fears they cause in students who will be attending high school are often false. In movies such as those mentioned above we see cheerleaders and football players dominating the school and making the others feel uneasy. The students who are active in clubs or spend their Friday nights volunteering rather than attending a party are usually categorized as geeks or nerds. This label often leads to ruining their self-esteem and journey throughout high school.
The reality of high school is defined by the moments spent during the four years there. Throughout the first year, students start to realize that the image they had of high school is tremendously different than what high school is actually like.
As you walk the campus at lunch you see all sorts of people huddled up at different corners of the school. It is true that there are a lot of cliques but all these cliques are very inviting. Students normally make friends freshmen year and tend to stick with them the remainder of the time because the bond and group usually grows. The students we see who already have cliques were freshmen at one point as well and experienced the same feeling new incoming freshmen do. It is a mutual feeling and nothing to be afraid of.
Stephanie Low, a senior at PitmanHigh School stated, “I walked onto campus the first day afraid of not knowing anyone but throughout the year I realized that a lot of these kids were in the same situation, and that’s how I met my best friends.”
Clubs play a major role in the individuality of a student; it highlights their specific talents. In movies, we see clubs and extracurricular activities are frowned upon and label students as geeks or nerds where in reality clubs are seen as an outlet that creates new friendships as well as application booster for college. Although cheerleading and playing on the football team often makes you well known; being a leader of a club or doing a variety of community service can make you stand out as well. Going out on a Friday night always seems much better than volunteering, but a handful of students would rather volunteer to fulfill their community service requirement. It is not only the “geeks” who are concerned about their grades; everyone wants a brighter future for themselves and they know the best way to achieve it is to start by having a good reputation in high school.
Remina Wahid, alumni of PitmanHigh School stated,” I was the type of person who was very studious, despite my hard work ethic I was still able to participate in a variety of clubs and extracurricular activities.”
Movies tend to mislead incoming freshmen; they show high school as being a place to party, outcast certain groups, and backstab friends. In reality, your journey during high school is based off of becoming an individual while maintaining friendships and finding the place you best fit in to for the future.