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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hung out with the punk and goth crowd. (I was the late 80s.) I still am an outsider but much better off than my HS friends. I went to grad school when they went to rehab.

IT was the late 80s. I wasn't 80 but rather 18-19.

[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.

Yes one of the nerds I graduated with now runs Pixar in Europe and others are doctors. The cheerleaders were all just moms. They had kids early and married (and then divorced!).

[Anonymous]

Popular, cheerleader, took on a lot of leadership type roles. Jock clique. Honor student. Overachiever. Homecoming/Prom Queen multiple times. On lots of committees etc. Good girl, a few teachers' pet. Happy and content aside from normal teen angst. Very typical late 80's valley girl. I was the exact same in college.

Now I am happily married - together 20 years, 4 children, SAHM. Beautiful home, throw lots of parties, I'm take on leadership type roles on various committees. Active, motivated....so.... pretty much the same as I've always been. I have no complaints life is wonderful.

Its funny, my husbands high school/college experience was similar. Popular, jock, honor student, achiever, high expectations etc. And now I see our children reflecting the same.

[Anonymous]

I was a "nothing" in high school. Took all the hardest classes, got straight As, was quiet but nice enough so I had "friends." Almost none of those friends were "true" friends though -- they'd sit with me at lunch or partner up with me on projects, but socially they pretty much mocked me bc I was a tomboy (nothing ridiculous but a jeans and t shirt girl, no makeup, ponytail, good at sports though not crazy good) and I spent my time being sarcastic back to them and taking an "I don't care what anyone thinks" attitude. Because of that they did think I was confident and smart and that raised my stock more (though honestly I was like that bc I was defensive and didn't want anyone to know that it hurt my feelings to always prove that I belonged instead of just being accepted like all our other friends). Anyway I made it clear that high school for me was 100% about making it to the ivys and nothing else.

So I graduated #2 in my class, made it to the Ivys for undergrad and law school. Did 8 yrs in biglaw where I worked my ass off but of course wasn't considered "partner material" as I'm not one of them either -- being in a practice group that was getting slower and slower as well as being an Indian woman did not help my causes. So then I was unemployed for a while, and now I've landed in a govt job that others think is prestigious while I am missing my law firm life -- not that that firm wants me anyway.

So I was pretty much a nothing then and my existence didn't matter to anyone (but my parents) and sadly 15 yrs later, it's about the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was a band geek and probably nerdy. I was by no means popular, but I did have a good group of friends by my senior year. I'm doing really well now. I feel better about myself than ever. I have a great career, wonderful kids and a good marriage. I think I'm pretty lucky.

Here's the message I think you should send your child: High School is a blip on the radar. It is four years. Don't try and peak in high school -- you want to be on the upward part of your life building towards the peak. I think we all know folks who peaked in High School or College and have never been happy since and they are continually trying to relive high school or college. What a waste. Try to find a group you like and who like you -- doesn't matter if they are geeks, gay or glee, what matters is they let you be you and enjoy you being you. That's when you know you are on the right path.

I love that! Great advice!

[Anonymous]

In some ways hard to sum up, but a classmate referred to me and my friends as the Sensible Girls and that is probably close enough. Had druggie friends, but didn't do drugs, had redneck friends but didn't party in the woods, volunteered a lot, was in AP classes, president of a language club, had friends across the complete spectrum, but no romances. Liked spot but not on any teams. Won a prize for super high standardized test scores, but grades didn't back it up, angsted with the egos because of effed up families, and hung with the creatives out of mutual interests.

Only time I had pushback on friends was when I hit it off with the Most Popular Girl outside of school, huge pushback from her friends and my friends, everybody was outraged lol. So not in with the popular chicks. We just secretly rooted for each other after that.

After some wander years, turns out I really am a sensible down to earth person who likes a wide variety of people, but am square by nature.

[Anonymous]

Emos, not egos. And sport, not spot. Sheesh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stoner.

Became a HS social studies teacher.

Sounds about right. :p

[Anonymous]

I don't categorize myself as a stereotype. And good parents don't do that to their kids.

[Anonymous]

I was a druggie/nerd. Went on to play rock and roll for a while before going to law school. Now a parent and attorney. Life has turned out fine so far! But I would love it if my kids abstained from drugs and alcohol until at least college. Definitely had a few close calls and feel lucky I was unscathed by my wild years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You forgot the slutty type and that was me for sure. I did not have a reputation but I was really bad in high school. Mostly with people who did not go to my school.

Now I am the perfect SAHM and nobody knows my past.

This was me too - hung out with older boys. Then moved away to university and never looked back. Happily married 20 years. Successful career 25 years!

[Anonymous]

I was the poor black kid in a rich white school. I think I turned out ok, though still poor by DCUM standards.

[Anonymous]

Actually, I doubt the slutty girls who pretend to be the perfect SAHM are really fooling anybody. If you were a mean girl in high school, we know. Mostly because you're still one now.

[Anonymous]

I am a student, can anybody help me make some sweeping generalizations about the different types of groups in school: Those groups are the:
Jock
Nerd
Social Butterflies
Anti Socials
Troublemakers
Band Geeks
Choir Kids
Geeks
Anime Nerds
Class Clowns
Artists
Drama People
Emo
Goth
Honors Kids
Video Game Nerds

[Anonymous]

mid 80's I was a Euro kid / brain.