School is something (maybe the only thing) all teens have in common. It's something we all have to do, whether we do it well or not. We all enter the building attempting to get through the day, all on our toes, urgently awaiting the final bell at 2:19. This bell can signify to some, sleep, to others, homework, sports, but to someone else it could signify angst, sadness or even fear. We all go to the same place everyday, but everything in other aspects of our lives can be so different. We don't actually know each other, we don't know what each of us goes through everyday after the final bell at 2:19. We walk through the halls, look around and actually think we might know each other, in reality, that is not the case at all.
To me, it's all an allusion. We walk through the beige, dull hallways being judged with every move we make. Other kids, teachers, faculty, everyone is observing how we talk, walk, interact, etc. There is not one moment during the day that we, as students in this huge judgmental facility, aren't being placed into certain groups.
A short, goofy-looking boy with glasses is automatically classified as a geek, when actually this boy couldn't care less about education and school. He could very well love to perform on stage; he's actually a very talented actor who can automatically become any character once he steps foot into the spotlight. We would never have guessed this because we never give ourselves enough time to find out who we all are. We don't know each other, we just know what role we each are supposed to play and who we're supposed to be. Just because a girl has long, blonde hair, pretty clothes, a lot of friends, a boyfriend and a pretty smile doesn't mean she's happy. We have no idea what she could be going through physically, mentally, family wise, we don't even know if she has a family. She might not want to be classified as happy and popular, she somehow wants to come out with her true identity, but can never seem to be given enough time to figure it out. We all jump to conclusions based on what we're all supposed to be, today life is too rushed and hectic to actually think about who someone wants to be.
Next time that bell rings at 2:19, look to the person next to you. Think about who they are to you, think about who they actually are to themselves.
Sara, I am intrigued by this topic. The idea that we walk through the hallways seeing the same faces everyday but never truly understanding what is behind the majority of those faces, is very real to all students. Your point that school is the only constant aspect in our very different lives and that we know little to nothing about the people that we have spent a good portion of our lives surrounded by is clearly present within the walls of Milton High. It seems though that after the first paragraph, you become repetitive. You repeat the idea that we just judge the faces of our peers and that we don’t fully understand what is truly going on in their lives a couple of times just in different words. Instead of repeating these ideas, you could possibly introduce ideas addressing how to overcome this divide between our judgments and the truth. Other than the repetitiveness, this journal was well written besides a few minor sloppy mistakes. For example, you write “To me, it’s all an allusion”. I think you meant to write “illusion” rather than “allusion”. I really enjoyed reading this journal, and I thought the topic was very relevant to our surroundings in school each day.
ReplyDeleteSara, John is right. This idea is fascinating to me. You're right. We are all just faces and names, but rarely do we have insight into the people we walk and talk with everyday. This insight is usually only shared with the closest of friends. Therefore, we have no real idea of what is going on in the heads and homes of the majority of our acquaintances. This never changes. The same could be written about adults in the professional world. There is nothing about what you write that is unique to school. Unfortunately, John is right, this gets repetitive. You just say the same thing over and over again. What you need are concrete examples of situations that prove your claim. This is what readers want to read.
ReplyDeleteYou do write very well in this post. Thank you.