What were you in high school (nerd, brain, band geek, jock, druggie, etc.); how did life turn out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My teenaged daughter is going through a tough time socially right now, and I've always consoled her with the maxim that the popular cheerleaders and jocks may have their day in high school, but in time, it's the former "band geeks" and nerds who rule the day. I've always said that, and always believed that, but not keeping up with anyone from my high school on FB or otherwise, I actually have no idea whether this proved true in my case. As for me, I was a nerd in high school. I'm still a nerd now, I guess, although much more confident and well put together. Married a nerd. We're successful and happy, but by no means "popular," and truth be told, I would not have minded being a part of the cool crowd way back then. Anyway, I'd love to hear from others, whether you are evidence of the maxim or not - what were you considered in high school and how did you turn out in life (successful, happy; still a nerd, jock etc. or did you evolve/change)?

Thanks.

I was a nerd (still am, according to DH) and married a man who was always picked on in school. We are very successful (we own our own home- not the bank!) and have 2 young children. High school is so over rated! Adult life is so much more fun. I would say the focus should be more on education than social life.

My friends are successful (lawyers, professors, doctors, military). As for the "popular" kids, I'm not really sure what happened to them. I don't really care!

[Anonymous]

Classic good girl, very strong leader, non-athlete, only one boyfriend, nice family on the surface (mother was seriously mentally ill and dad was enabling): hospitalized with anorexia, major depressive disorder, and two other psychiatric hospitalizations four times between 17 and 21. Now major executive in a non-profit educational setting with a wonderful marriage, wonderful DC, wonderful life. Still see therapist and have physical illnesses that are probably stress-related and that I am able to negotiate despite high-pressure career, so not everything is rosy, but 32 years after the downward spiral, it really is okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was popular and years later happen to have one of those drama nerds working for me, we went to school together(so she tells me)
.she is obsessed with high-school always asking me about my friends and referring to them as the cool kids. It is freaky and obsessive. Get over it


I think we have some obsessive nerds here still bearing scars.

Not surprised, given what you just said. Clearly she was very hurt in high school. Sad.

[Anonymous]

I didn't really fit a category in HS. Had a few close friends from different groups, but often felt pretty alone. I have to say, I'm pretty f'ing cool now and relatively successful too.

I know that at least 5 of the "queen bees" at my HS are fat with lame careers and still living in our shit hometown. I also know that one girl who was picked on a lot is a very successful physician.

[Anonymous]

I was a geek/stoner girl - but semi- well liked. Married at 18, laughed at for doing so, and still married 17 yrs later. I now have a 6 figure job, a 4 yr old daughter and have done well for myself despite having am Associates Degree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Classic good girl, very strong leader, non-athlete, only one boyfriend, nice family on the surface (mother was seriously mentally ill and dad was enabling): hospitalized with anorexia, major depressive disorder, and two other psychiatric hospitalizations four times between 17 and 21. Now major executive in a non-profit educational setting with a wonderful marriage, wonderful DC, wonderful life. Still see therapist and have physical illnesses that are probably stress-related and that I am able to negotiate despite high-pressure career, so not everything is rosy, but 32 years after the downward spiral, it really is okay.

We grew up in the same house. Father was well meaning but in the final analysis, should have said enough is enough.

[Anonymous]

Nerd who wanted to be a jock. Always picked last in sports and looked at the "in crowd" as the ultimate. Now MBA, CPA, excellent in sports. Learned later that the people in the "in crowd" hated each other. But still bothers me that I was always picked last.

[Anonymous]

Went to a Catholic school in an affluent area and am now in my 40s...via an alumni network, this is what I have seen from our class...

the nerds went on great schools and for the most part seem to have very successful careers - doctors, sceintists, etc

The jocks were also generally smart kids so they too have become successful.

Several classmates went on to have large families - 5+ kids

The "druggies" went on to college, have had normal career type jobs such as teacher, accountant, manager and have families/young kids

The theater/art/music kids went on to college, have careers - most have them in an artistic field but no one became a major actor/actress or musician.

Two girls got married young - right out of high school - and are still married and have always been sahms

The kids in the middle like me just went on to have normal lives. nothing remarkable.

So to sum up, the smart, beautiful people stayed both smart and beautiful. The jocks stayed both athletic and smart. The druggies figured it out and got it together.

[Anonymous]

Outcast in middle/early high school. No friends. Somehow in high school I started making more friends and was still a nerd, but a likeable nerd y the time high school drew to a close.

Went to a small liberal arts college and was "popular" because it was revenge of the nerds! And really, being popular follows from being nice to people and being outgoing. Since then I've always had lots of friends and never felt slighted/outcasted ever again. I mean, some people aren't going to like you for whatever reason, but nothing you can do about that. Married a great guy when i was 27, doing well professionally. In retrospect, I"m happy to have had the experience of being an outcast because it ensured that I really look for the best in people, I can find someone I like about almost anyone, and I don't dismiss people just because they have one characteristic I don't like.

[Anonymous]

Druggie outcast: Went to college, graduated at top of my class, went to law school, got married, got a job, bought a house, had a kid.

I am however the only person from my group of freinds in HS that went to college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Druggie outcast: Went to college, graduated at top of my class, went to law school, got married, got a job, bought a house, had a kid.

I am however the only person from my group of freinds in HS that went to college.

Did you do well in high school, or did you do the community college route?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was popular and years later happen to have one of those drama nerds working for me, we went to school together(so she tells me).she is obsessed with high-school always asking me about my friends and referring to them as the cool kids. It is freaky and obsessive. Get over it


I think we have some obsessive nerds here still bearing scars.

Not surprised, given what you just said. Clearly she was very hurt in high school. Sad.

Sounds like the PP is still in high school. Really, you have to let us know that you didn't remember her? You sound awful.

[Anonymous]

Band geek. Outcast. Blossomed in my 20's and one of those fortunate women that wears her age very well. Married a rich guy (for love) and live a privileged life. Don't care what happened to anyone from high school. Happy to have moved beyond my teen years and I don't look back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was popular and years later happen to have one of those drama nerds working for me, we went to school together(so she tells me).she is obsessed with high-school always asking me about my friends and referring to them as the cool kids. It is freaky and obsessive. Get over it


I think we have some obsessive nerds here still bearing scars.

Not surprised, given what you just said. Clearly she was very hurt in high school. Sad.

Sounds like the PP is still in high school. Really, you have to let us know that you didn't remember her? You sound awful.

I think I work with the PP and the "nerd" or at least someone just like the pair. It is true the "nerd" is OBSESSED. It is kind of crazy. I'm older than both of them and the nerd seems very immature. The nerd is constantly bringing up HS and the other woman seems uninterested.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was the outcast goth girl. Everyone thought I was a druggie (I wasn't) and a slut (not that either) and a mute (well, I was painfully shy). I also happened to be a math whiz. Aced my SAT math portion, went to Cal Tech, shed my goth-wear, gained confidence with all the nerdy boys fawning all over me (it was a 10 - 1, boy -girl ratio), started to blossom, recruited to work for what was at the time a small startup in Sunnyvale, became ungodly rich by the time I was 35, quite confident at this point in my life, yes, some plastic surgery along the way also helped, ended up marrying a boy from high school actually! Saw him at our 15 year reunion, he did not recognize me, but I had a huge crush on him throughout high school (he was a jock and a brain and homecoming king). Our kids love hearing this story over and over and I suppose I don't mind sharing it over and over.

The Frog Princess

I read that book already, but nice try.