High school is a time of self-discovery and significant growth. You start to figure out what you want to do in the future and dedicate a lot of time to building relationships with people that can last after graduation. Friendships play an important role in students’ lives; students find people who share the same interests and goals, provide a sense of belonging, and support them during tough days. But not everything is like in the movies.
Unfortunately, relationships are not always perfect. Maybe your friend said or did something that made you upset, or vice versa; whatever the reason is, hurt feelings lead to arguments. High school drama often comes up as a topic for discussion: it involves the spread of gossip and rumors through social media, peer pressure, and bullying. These things are tough to navigate, and it is important to catch them in time and ask for help from a parent, a school counselor, or any other adult you trust. But why do we fight in the first place?
High school is a time of big change. Not only do you grow physically, but also mentally, and that process is not easy. According to Alex Shivrin Venet, a community college teacher, teenagers tend to be more emotional and impulsive when making decisions than adults. Because of this, sometimes you can say something hurtful without thinking of long-term consequences and how it can affect others. Additionally, because teenagers can be very emotional, every little thing turns into something big. The Snapchat story or a screenshot, the “look”, a rumor, or just a simple misunderstanding creates conflicts that could have been avoided or resolved peacefully.
However, it is important to remember that arguments are a natural part of growing up and can be an opportunity for self-growth. Learning how to communicate and apologize are necessary life skills that help to build healthy relationships with people. It might feel like high school is the most important time to “do everything right”, but in reality, it is just the beginning. The mistakes that you made at 16 can teach you lessons that you will remember at 46 and most of the high school drama about someone looking at you in the “wrong way” in class will be just a silly thing to tell stories about.
