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Everything changes. From tone-deaf jokes in once-adored TV shows like 'Seinfeld' or 'Married... with Children' to now heavily scrutinized 'crunch culture' in a corporate environment, it seems that everything has an expiration date.
High school, then, serves as a captivating and amusing example of how the passage of time shapes our perception. Remember the days when we had to plead with teachers for permission to use the restroom? It's either this or whatever yummy yet weird meal cafeterias had served in the past that makes us sigh whenever we think of it. Bored Panda has compiled a collection of the most memorable and outrageous aspects of school life that make us cringe, providing a delightful opportunity for those who haven't lived it to take a closer look at the current cultural quirks of school life.
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#1
Super strict dress codes. Being sent to detention. Begging for toilet privileges. All of this might sound weird, sure. But as a VICE journalist once put it: "It’s hard to imagine things being any different, if only because we put up with it for so long. [...] It feels off for schools to still implement these kinds of rules now, as perceptions on discipline, education, gender, and individuality have evolved."
Looking back on it now, there's one bizarre rule that was recently revived due to the times we live in: mock air raids. Of course, depending on which part of the world you live in - particularly if you're situated in Ukraine - ducking for shelter under your desk might still be part of a student's routine. But if you live in America, you're likely aware of its active invader drills which force teens to participate in terrifying simulations.
The United States is not alone in having questionable school norms, as other countries also exhibit their own peculiar practices. In Japan, for instance, students with non-black or non-straight hair are often required to provide evidence of their hair's natural color or texture. On the other hand, in many Indian schools, there are specific restrictions imposed on the interaction between male and female students.
Another questionable norm that ceased to exist (at least to our knowledge) is barring latecomers from entering the classroom. You know, being late by 1 minute and not being allowed to join the class, everyone's eyes saying "uh-oh." And while it's understandable that dealing with consistent lateness can be annoying, especially for teachers who face disruptions because of unmotivated students - what good does making a kid sit in the cafeteria playing their Gameboy bring to their overall education?
#3
While bullying was considered to be a rite-of-passage of your average school student, influencing countless jocks in coming-of-age dramas and comedies, it seems like the rate of bullying has significantly dropped. In 2013, a nationwide survey in the US found that 20% of high school students were bullied on school property in the past year. Meanwhile, another, more recent study published in the journal Pediatrics, discovered that instances of bullying, including perpetrating and witnessing it, have decreased.
#6
Mavis 1 year ago
I have to say I actually do like knowing that mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell and that Athens and Sparta fought the Peloponnesian War and that the square root of 144 is 12. Yeah none of this helps me in my day to day life but school introduced me to many ideas and facts that I'm very happy to know.
Speaking of the bygone school practices that seem outrageous by today's norms, we should mention the dunce cap seen in cartoons (like The Simpsons) and vintage films. A student who struggled with their studies would be made to wear this cone-shaped hat, marking them as the "class idiot" for all to see. Today, we shudder at the thought of publicly shaming students, realizing that such practices only perpetuate low self-esteem and discourage learning. Thankfully, the dunce cap now resides in the realm of history, where it belongs.
#8
Jeff (He/They) 1 year ago
This. The pledge is so dumb. I never, ever stand for it. Had several teachers yell at me for it, but you just get numb to it after awhile. America is taking my rights and you want me to worship it?? Hell naw
Speaking about the inevitable evolution of societal norms - whether in school or the open world - Catherine Sanderson, the Manwell Family Professor in Life Sciences at Amherst College and the author of 'Why We Act', thinks some of the most bewildering things that were appropriate at the time didn't raise any eyebrows precisely because it was something that people were used to. "The example that I often give is: when I was in 7th and 8th grade, right before high school, I had a wonderful teacher who smoked cigarettes throughout the entire day in the classroom," she told Bored Panda in an email. "When I say that now to somebody, they're like 'What?'"
#9
Jan Rosier 1 year ago
At 57, still is... but then swearing and cussing about stupid things 'co'workers do which mess up my job.
#10
Jeff (He/They) 1 year ago
Omg not the f*****g barkers. They're the same ones who'll grab each others' asses while still somehow being homophobic
Of course, in the '80s and '90s, smoking in public spaces seemed as harmless to bystanders as vaping does today. People would smoke on airplanes, in cinemas, and in restaurants without much concern. However, in the late '90s, schools began considering banning smoking due to scientific evidence of its harm. A New York Times article from 1990 stated: "Report had recommended in part that schools ban smoking because of indoor pollution and the influence the districts carry with young children and teenagers."
#12
Amanda Rose 1 year ago
Mile Monday's were a horrible invention. My friends and I would just walk around the track while talking and ignoring the PE teacher who was yelling at us to run.
Scientific evidence, Sanderson argues, is one of the most important things in fighting norms that are deeply rooted. "What we know is that calling out specific norms and saying, 'Hey, this is not going to work,' is really important. I will also say that's coupled with science." She gave an example of her mother, exactly how in the 1960s there would be 'Duck and Cover' drills in classrooms which urged students to comically hide under their desks - as if that would save anyone. And that's exactly why they ceased to exist. As UnitedStates.org explains: "Civilians soon became aware of the fact that a thin wooden school desk would offer very little if any real protection against a high-yield nuclear bomb."
#13
PrettyJoyBird 1 year ago
Married to High School Sweetheart. Going on 22 years together. We actually had middle school 6th grade class together and choir but i dont rmbr him then. Whoops sorry Love.
"One of the challenges is that, in some cases, people privately think that one thing should be the norm, but they think other people feel differently," Sanderson argued. Remember how you wanted to ask something during class and after you glanced at your peers, none of them were raising their hands? It's awkward and embarrassing. Most likely then you lowered your knowledge-hungry hand, fearing the possibility of appearing like a bookworm. "So there's a case in which the public norm is: 'Don't raise your hand' - even if every single person does have a question."
#15
Joanne Jones 1 year ago
In my school you had a shower after, it was just a big shower block with no curtains and all the girls had to shower in there, I would of rather been sweating and stinky all day than having to go through that as a teenager, it was so degrading.
#19
Dazzler 1 year ago
Bragging about how you hurt your bodies is something to be neither ashamed nor proud of. I frankly think that most teenagers' sleep cycles and school timing are utterly incompatible, like I cannot imagine wanting to do Math at 7 am. On top of that, excessive homework, assignments, and exams to study for that takes up a lot of time along with other activities. With that being said, please recognize that sleep is important for you no matter your age. You're not tough for being able to survive on four hours, it's not funny just because it's a relatable experience, and you're actually being less productive and not more because sleep deficiency impedes your cognitive abilities along with many other side-effects. Start small, aim for consistency rather than an instant fix. Your body works day and night to help you survive, please give it the rest it deserves.
Ken Beattie 1 year ago
We never started school at 7am. What time did you finish 1pm? It's awhile ago, but I'm pretty sure we were 9am - 3pm. Used to try to get to school early at least a few days a week to play tennis though before school started.
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AutumnSong2009 1 year ago
One morning a few weeks ago, the day my science assignment was due, everyone in my class probably got a collective amount of 48 hours of sleep and we talked about it all day
EmbersAreOut 1 year ago
aw lucky i'm surviving on two hours and attempting to write a coherent essay.
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Susan Robinson 1 year ago
God…all the damage I did to my body when I was a healthy teenager. Lifting 100 pound dogs by myself “because I could” when I worked at the veterinary clinic, ruining my right shoulder and elbow from discus and shot put because they didn’t teach proper technique. Now I am 47 and severely disabled! Yay!!
LokisLilButterknife 1 year ago (edited)
As an adult I find this sad and really disturbing. I don’t care what people say, the human body needs rest and working 24/7 is extremely dangerous and leads to a horrible thing called burnout. As someone who had burnout and always thought and still sometimes thinks they aren’t working hated enough— please, please, please let’s end this toxicity about bragging about how little sleep we got or how hard we work. Burnout is dangerous as it severely affects both your mental and physical health. It’s not healthy and I hate how overwork is glorified in so many cultures. 😞
Jane Hower 1 year ago
I still get 8 hrs of sleep - 3 at night and 5 during the day!!! whatever....
Dawnieangel76 1 year ago
God, I remember only needing 3-4 hours of sleep to get through the day perfectly! Even into my first 2 jobs, I was the same way. Then I hit my late 20's, and I had to get at least 7 to function. Now, in my late forties, I'm back to only needing 3-4.
whatscookin 1 year ago
Dayummm this hit home LOL. Used to stay up all night without trouble when I was young just spending time on the Internet and now, I can't stay up late as much as I want to as a 25 year old granny. I just feel so tired and sleepy!
Edward Dwyer 1 year ago
Does not compute. I didn't have a phone or computer or TV in my room so I got plenty of sleep.
#20
Donna Peluda 1 year ago (edited)
I went to a Catholic school in Spain. 1980, I remember one kid being dragged out of clase by a priest teacher, desk and all and being kicked like a football. Priests drags the kid away screaming , comes back, puts the desk in back in its place and carried on. Never saw the kid again. I'd only been in Spain for a few months and spoke little Spanish so I never found out what's he said or what happened to him.
#23
Yeet_girl360 1 year ago
For Christmas they used to stuff the entire school into the gym and force us to sing songs or get detention.. ``\0.0/``
#25
Yeet_girl360 1 year ago
At one point in my life my older sister worked at Chick-Fil-A, and she said that they are mostly home school (like herself).
#26
Take me to dinner first 1 year ago
That's because the other football team had a player that did the same thing and God had to make a choice
#27
David Wambold 1 year ago
Had something similar in my high school. Learned to eat and talk really fast. BTW 25 minutes.
#28
Pink Princess 1 year ago
Lol I’m in high school I’ve never cared about being popular or “fitting in”. If I really wanted to I could, because the popular girls asked me to sit with them once and they’re pretty nice to me, but I just want to have a drama free social life
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What do you think ?
Did I say that out loud? 1 year ago
The cane being a legal form of punishment in UK state schools until 1987.
FantastiKitty 1 year ago
High school in the USA is a wild experience, I guess. Nobody I know actually gave a c**p about being popular. We just wanted to pass and get over that s**t.
Wren Hard 1 year ago
I wish I got to actually go to high school. To anyone considering homeschooling your kids or teenagers, PLEASE DON'T unless they explicitly ask to be. Before I started, I would cry to my parents becuase I hated the idea so much and just wanted to be able to interact with other people my age and find friends with similar interests, but apparently that was the worst part for them, so I was the only kid graduating that year from our small primary school who would not be attending the local high school with everyone else.
DBear 1 year ago
I remember girls wearing pants tucked into their socks, oversized men's sweatshirts, sweaters that went down to their knees and hiking boots. No makeup but lots of hairspray.
Ample Aardvark 1 year ago
That's still the most comfortable fashion ever. I skipped the hairspray, but went to town on eyeliner
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Did I say that out loud? 1 year ago
I went to an English state secondary school from 1981-1985 (11-16yo). A good proportion of the teachers would never be allowed anywhere near a classroom now. The usual assortment of pervs, sadists ,and alcoholics. At the time, it seemed perfectly normal, but looking back now? Yeah ,I can't really argue or disagree with you.
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kath morgan 1 year ago
Our music class room in high school had keyboards, that could be set to various sounds. One key was a man saying “dictionary”. So of course, the boys would press it multiple times to make him say “dic-dic-dic-dic-dictionary”. I still think about it a lot.
Did I say that out loud? 1 year ago
The cane being a legal form of punishment in UK state schools until 1987.
FantastiKitty 1 year ago
High school in the USA is a wild experience, I guess. Nobody I know actually gave a c**p about being popular. We just wanted to pass and get over that s**t.
Wren Hard 1 year ago
I wish I got to actually go to high school. To anyone considering homeschooling your kids or teenagers, PLEASE DON'T unless they explicitly ask to be. Before I started, I would cry to my parents becuase I hated the idea so much and just wanted to be able to interact with other people my age and find friends with similar interests, but apparently that was the worst part for them, so I was the only kid graduating that year from our small primary school who would not be attending the local high school with everyone else.
DBear 1 year ago
I remember girls wearing pants tucked into their socks, oversized men's sweatshirts, sweaters that went down to their knees and hiking boots. No makeup but lots of hairspray.
Ample Aardvark 1 year ago
That's still the most comfortable fashion ever. I skipped the hairspray, but went to town on eyeliner
Load More Replies... Did I say that out loud? 1 year ago
I went to an English state secondary school from 1981-1985 (11-16yo). A good proportion of the teachers would never be allowed anywhere near a classroom now. The usual assortment of pervs, sadists ,and alcoholics. At the time, it seemed perfectly normal, but looking back now? Yeah ,I can't really argue or disagree with you.
Load More Replies... kath morgan 1 year ago
Our music class room in high school had keyboards, that could be set to various sounds. One key was a man saying “dictionary”. So of course, the boys would press it multiple times to make him say “dic-dic-dic-dic-dictionary”. I still think about it a lot.
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