I was bullied mercilessly in middle school. Rocks were thrown at me, I got called “she-man” because I was so tall, and at one point was left in the middle of the dance floor alone because asking me to dance was a dare (I still hate K C and JoJo’s “All My Life” because of this). I was very depressed and lonely.
So when I was prepping to go off to a boarding high school, I spent my “new clothes” allowance on chopping my hair off and dying it fire engine red. I was determined to not be my old, loser, sad, self, and I threw myself into making new friends and being the best me. I was loud and sarcastic and wore knee socks and was just my weird self. Within one week I had new friends (who are still my friends 18 years later) and a boyfriend. High school ended up being the best experience of my life!
Biturbowagon, the best transformation of all is when you learn to no longer give a shit. That is the truth:
I was one of the out people. Many people tried to bully me. I wouldn’t put up with that, and I was big enough to repulse physical attacks, but it was still a number of lonely, unpleasant, and alienated years.
Over the course of several years, I developed interests outside of my school. But it was summer camp that made a huge difference. There, I was POPULAR. I was genuinely liked for who I am. I made important friendships. Girls liked me, and competed for my attention. I was the center of attention, in a good way. It opened my eyes to what was out there in the outside world.
I went back to school no longer giving any fuck at all. I did my time, as any inmate would, but I now knew there was a world outside of school. All the petty bullshit? I ignored it. I made new friends in other grades, as well as in other schools. I couldn’t be bothered to go to any school-related social activities, until I decided to go to my senior prom. My date was a girl from another high school. You should have seen the jaws drop when (a) I appeared, (b) I outdressed almost everyone else, and (c) with her on my arm. He has a social life? He’s with her? He looks that sharp? Many minds were blown.
One of the happiest days of my life was graduation: because I knew that I would never have to go back to that school.
Reunions? Ha! They conflict with an annual event that I gladly attend in its stead. One nice former classmate tried to persuade me to attend one of the big ones. I demurred. He later reported all the petty dreck that went down at it. I’m so glad that I didn’t waste my time or money.
Mortal Dictata, this is relatable, I must say:
In Year 9 I became a complete rebel, sticking it to the man who wouldn’t tell me what to do. No matter what the repercussions I was going to be who I wanted to be, so I broke the biggest rule of them all.
That’s right, I let my hair grow slightly over the collar… and then I caved immediately and got it cut.
Smash the system Comrades!
noxious leftovers, all hail BOOBS, amiright?
8th grade graduation: 100 lb soaking wet, braces, greasy hair, no tits
first day of 9th grade: 110 lb, braces, greasy hair, TITS
I went from a small school of 500 kids to a high school with 5,000 kids, and I walked in on the first day with fucking trip Ds that were out of control under my faux-goth Target graphic tees. I somehow (tits) managed to convince people I was cool for a solid two months when the popular (aka Senior aka way too old holy shit those pervs) guy realized I wouldn’t let them touch my tits because I was secretly (even to myself) queer and I hung with a great group of nerds for the rest of high school. but for that short time, I was a god.
Kender Again, this is a good con. A long con. I respect your game:
I changed my name. Showed up to university orientation and just introduced myself with a different name. It was not a flawless system. Having two names inevitably leads to confusion. But it was worth it! Ten years later, I executed the deed poll this week (and also added the shared surname my partner and I both adopted when we got married). I’m now legally [Original First Name] [New Name] [Shared Surname]-[Original Surname], and so my go-to lie all these years “oh I mostly go by my middle name” is finally true.
goingawaytospain, I didn’t ask for the worst back-to-school transformation stories, now did I?
Let’s see…summer after 7th grade I went on weight watchers with my mom. I lost 11lbs, which was almost enough to not be considered disgusting by boys. I even briefly caught the eye of Lance, a total hottie, until I cleared my throat in class one day and he thought I farted.
I did secure my first kiss with a cool guy from another school behind the skating rink and even though he was my first, I knew he was terrible.
Anywhoo, my mom was nice enough to point out that boys liked me now because I lost that weight, so I’m taking that grudge to my grave. Yeah, no lasting damage there.
My silliest regrets are probably all drunk in nature so I won’t share them now, for fear of being inaccurate. However, you can lie to us in the comments below… that’s the beauty of the internet.