Senior-Status Specials

School’s out, so it’s official—I’m a senior now! Although that’s really fun to say, I have mixed feelings about the end of junior year. Obviously, there’s the relief that most of the SAT and GPA (and tons of other acronyms) craziness is behind me. However, there’s also the sadness in saying goodbye to this year’s seniors, some of whom are among my closest friends. But more than anything else, there’s a sense of accomplishment—we finally made it to the top of the high school food chain.

While this might sound petty and unimportant, it’s actually rather significant. In the high school world, your age determines practically everything—from the positions you can hold in student government to where you sit in the cafeteria. The sheer number of unwritten “rules” is baffling: freshmen have to sit here and seniors have to sit there; underclass girls invited to prom can’t wear floor-length dresses; don’t expect to be president of a club until at least junior year…the list goes on and on. While violating one of these “rules” won’t get you shoved in a garbage can or Slushied, “Glee”-style, you are sure to attract some dirty looks and maybe even a tall upperclassman telling you, “You have to move.” 

If this sounds harsh, it’s because it is. However, it’s also oddly comforting. In the world of high school, everything is new and confusing and few things are ever absolute and unchanging. Amidst all the craziness, it’s kind of nice to walk into the cafeteria and know where you fit. But maybe I’m just saying that because I get to sit in the senior section now!