Guys, I’m tired.
I’ve been getting five to six hours of sleep for the past two weeks, constantly studying and completing homework assignments for school, and dealing with family drama on top of all of that. I’m not saying that I have the worst life ever. I’m not saying that there aren’t people who have it a hundred times worse than me. And I’m not saying that, overall, my life is bad – because it’s not. It’s pretty great.
All I’m saying is that I’m tired.
But the thing is, in high school, almost everyone is tired. While not everyone is completely exhausted or entirely enervated, I’m sure most are at least somewhat tired – and I’m sure that practically no one is getting enough sleep. Especially juniors and seniors, because we’re juggling AP courses, extra-curricular activities like Honor Societies and sports, college applications, etc. That’s not even delving into all of the outside-of-school stuff, either.
That’s not why I decided to write this post though. I didn’t delay my myriad homework assignments to rant about something that I’m sure everyone experiences every now and then. I hopefully wouldn’t waste my time, or my readers’ time, doing something like that.
What I’m really tired of is how some teens are incapable of seeing how tired we all are and how we decide to treat each other like trash anyway.
I know, we’re all unique. That’s true. But it’s also true that no matter what are gender, race, or sexuality, we must go through some of the same things. Girls have to go to school and do homework just like guys do. Blacks have to worry about college and their futures just like whites do. Gays have to handle feelings for their crushes and family drama just like straight people do. So why is it that teens point out these differences and tease each other and hurt one another when in the end, we’re all trying to survive high school together?
Things could be so simple. We could all get along. We could accept our differences. We could help each other through life’s many trials and tribulations.
But we don’t. Because we’re insecure, fearful of what we can’t comprehend, and blind to the big picture – that we are who we are, and nothing good can come out of trying to change that.
Maybe I’m just having a bad day, week, whatever. Maybe this is just a stress-induced post releasing my pent-up emotions. Maybe I’m just trying to get people, and especially high-school teens, to come to terms with the stupidity of their behavior and of their bullying.
Thoughts?
PS: I’ll be in a better mood by next post. My school’s book club had its first interest meeting today, it went well! About 20 people have signed up, which is great. See you all (sort of) next time!
the quiet voice 
I remember those days. Looking back, I think it’s just knowing everyone is different—that everyone has his or her share of problems and troubles—that creates that tension and desperate need to fit in and adhere to a label, even if that means labeling yourself an outcast. The constrained set-up of high school also plays a big role: When you’re stuck with the same people all day long, five days a week, and you’re not forced to get along out of fear of losing your job (etc.), nobody cares about being nice. It’s harsh, but a phase that, in many ways, passes, only perhaps only becomes more tolerable as you mature.
*or perhaps
Good points, Stephanie.
Another thing is that there are teens that are so insecure and unsure of themselves, that they don’t yet have the courage or the ability to go outside the norm and befriend someone who isn’t like them. In high school, it’s all about fitting in and trying not to stand out in a bad way.
Agreed. That’s definitely the mindset that is fostered, especially because social status is such a concern. No one wants to befriend the wrong person. High schoolers obsess over that and don’t realize that by taking a chance, they stand to make a great new friend.
Great points from both of you, Stephanie and Dienna! Thank you guys for adding more to the train of thought presented in my post. Stephanie, I especially loved how you said that teens don’t have to fear losing their place at school – most of the time bullying and teasing and other forms of not-so-nice behavior are missed completely, and when they are noticed, the reprimands are not nearly as harsh as they should be. I suppose it’s good that many teens are suspended or expelled for physical violence (if they weren’t, well, that would be a problem) but it seems that verbal violence is still allowed to run rampant. Hm…
Tired? As a teen? No way. I mean, disregarding the fact that I just poured Orange Juice in my cereal and put both the milk and OJ back in the cupboard, while putting the cereal box in the fridge, I don’t think there’s any sign of general tiredness in the teen populat….zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Ha ha, thanks for the funny comment. (: