Writing Challenge

My High School Experience Growing Up in the UK

I've tucked it away in the recesses of my mind

Challenged by Lori Dooner in her High School Days Writing Challenge, I realised my experience growing up in the UK was very different from school life in the US. So I have answered the challenge with my experiences!

1. What was the year you graduated?: We didn't call it graduating in England. You either finished after sixth form with A-levels or left earlier. I left earlier to complete my six form years at a different school, so I had no graduation party or such. I didn't stay long at the new school, so I'm not sure I truly graduated. It was in 1985. It didn't matter. I have my O-Levels and went to further education once I got a job. I have never needed anything more.
2. Did you carpool?: Most days, I rode my bike three miles each way in all weather and over some big hills. Sometimes my dad drove, and we picked up friends from each bus stop along the way in his trendy but old combi-van.
3. What kind of car did you drive?: None, school children didn't drive. My sister had a 50cc moped, which I used occasionally and fell off once. I never told her, and I had to wear long sleeves for weeks as my arm was severely grazed.
4. It's Friday Night football- were you there?: The only football in England is what is called soccer elsewhere. This was generally played on Saturdays, and I was not involved. I had never heard of a cheerleader and certainly wouldn't have been allowed to join in. My parents were very conservative. There were Friday night discos, I remember. Embarrassing events where girls stood on one side and boys on the other, and we shuffled around, not wanting to be the first to speak.
5. What kind of job did you have?: I was too busy swimming several times a week, practising my violin, or attending lessons and concerts. I got a job when I left school when my parents demanded I contribute.
6. Were you a party animal?: I lived in the next village to the school, so I missed a lot of the parties and catch-ups. I didn’t mind. I had nothing other than home-made clothes and hand-me-downs to wear. I always had my head stuck in a book if I had a spare moment, or was riding my bike, climbing trees and playing with mud.
7. Were you considered a jock?: I have no idea what a jock is. In England, it's a term referring to a Scottish person, which I am not.
8. Were you in a band?: No, I was in an Orchestra, playing my violin, although that was on Saturday mornings outside of school. It was great fun, and it is the place I met my husband. He was in a band, though, with his dad and earned more money than I'd ever seen, or that's what I thought at the time.
9. Were you a nerd?: I think I was, but also a bit rebellious. I wore glasses, never had anything fashionable, and was awkward. I should have had braces, but I was too worried about being called names. Specky-four-eyes was terrible enough. Once, I remember getting a haircut and walking into a classroom. I got noticed for the first time. I was about 13. The most popular boy in the class asked me to remove my glasses and declared me quite pretty. I wasn't sure whether to be annoyed or flattered.
10. Did you get suspended?: I came close to being suspended at the sixth-form school I moved to. I tried to fit in, but everyone there had a very different upbringing;. It was very posh. I was on a music scholarship and was under a lot of pressure. In hindsight, it was still the right decision to leave soon after.
11. Can you sing the fight song?: I'm not sure what this is. We had a school hymn that we sang in assemblies. This is still my favourite hymn; we sang it at our church wedding in 1987.
12. What was your high school mascot?: We didn't have a mascot, but I remember all students were divided into houses, and our sports jumpers were in the house colour. Mine was green. We were named after famous inventors.
13. If I could go back and do it all over again, would I?: No, definitely not. I have some fleeting memories, but overall it was a time I want to forget.
14. Are you still in contact with people from high school?: Some via Facebook, but I moved to Australia, so they feel distant now. I remember catching up with one friend just after we both had babies. We had nothing at all in common other than baby small talk. We didn't meet again.
15. Do you know where your high school crush is?: I was about 10 when I had my first boyfriend. I had some love letters but cleared those out in our last move. The memories remain in my head and heart, and I don't need silly reminders.
16. What was your favourite subject?: Art, although I didn't realise I was good at it till my last year at high school. Otherwise, I liked Geography, History, and English. I wish I had learnt more French or another language.
17. Do you still have your high school ring?: We did not have rings. I don't have anything, and I got rid of all my school books too. Baggage.

I have nothing to gain from remembering my school days. That might seem harsh, but I am very forward-looking—no point dwelling on what-ifs and regrets.

Nothing was terrible. It is just lost in the recesses of my memory.

If you want to take up the challenge, the challenge questions are:

1. What is the year you graduated?
2. Did you carpool?
3. What kind of car did you drive?
4. It’s Friday night football — were you there?
5. What kind of job did you have?
6. Were you a party animal?
7. Were you considered a jock?
8. Were you in a band?
9. Were you a nerd?
10. Did you get suspended?
11. Can you sing the fight song?
12. What was your high school mascot?
13. If you could go back and do it all again, would you?
14. Are you still in contact with people from high school?
15. Do you know where your high school crush is?
16. What was your favorite subject?
17. Do you still have your high school ring?