High School Days

When I think about my high school experience, a few words come to mind,fun, crazy, troublesome, exciting, and mostly a learning experience. I attended two high schools. The first one was in a neighborhood that I grew up in my whole life. I attended that high school my freshmen and senior year. El Camino High school was actually a nice place to be. It was pretty diverse, the teachers were interested in teaching, and there was a lot of school spirit. Unfortunately my main goal when I was in school was to party, party, hang out, and party some more. El Camino was one of two high schools in my district. Most of the students had known each other all the way from elementary school and from around the neighborhood. I enjoyed going to school because I felt my teachers were actually interested in teaching, and they took time to get to know the students, the way they learn, and how they can enhance their learning experience. I was unmotivated to learn, and only cared about socializing and going out, me and my friends were considered to be the popular kids, whatever that means. Due to my out of control behavior, I was kicked out of El Camino my sophomore year I was also informed I couldn't attend the only other high school within the South San Francisco school district due to all of my behavioral issues Unfortunately for me being kicked out of the district meant I would have to attend school where I didn't know anyone. My cousin lived in Daly city, a town over, and attended Jefferson High. My mother decided going to Jefferson would be the best alternative for me, too bad she didn't do her research. Jefferson was terrible in comparison to El Camino, and I hated going there.. The campus was low in school spirit; we didn't even have a cheer leading team. There were a lot of students with bad attitudes. The teachers seemed to hate their jobs, and no one seemed to care what the students did. Needless to say I got away with murder at this school, which only furthered my unhealthy lifestyle. It didn't take long for me to find a crowd of people to spend my time with. Of course all of my friends were fellow druggies. My own drug use was quickly turning into a problem rather than something to do for fun.I cut school almost every day, and when I did show up I was under the influence or coming down. Telling lies to everyone around me except for my friends became second nature for me. Jefferson's lack of enforcing consequences only made it easier for me to get away with unexcused absences, missed detentions, and everything else in between. Somehow in the midst of all this, I started to get serious towards the end of my senior year. I was still using, but I started taking a bunch of extra classes in an attempt to make up about 120 lost credits. I attended class more regularly, but still wasn't there nearly enough as I should have been. I managed to pull off a couple of c's and an A, but since I failed my government class, and was low on credits for electives, I didn't graduate on stage. I received my diploma in summer school. Looking back, I can't blame Jefferson, or El Camino for the way I decided to act in high school. I was a rebel, and I didn't take any of the opportunities that were given to me. With that said, I wouldn't change my experiences because they are what shape me today.