Why Is the Last Day of School So Bittersweet?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the emotional complexities surrounding the last day of school, particularly the bittersweet feelings of graduation and the transition to new social environments such as college. Participants express nostalgia, anxiety about exams, and reflections on friendships formed during high school versus those anticipated in college.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express sadness about leaving friends behind, describing them as family and wishing school would last forever.
  • Others suggest that while high school friendships feel significant, they may not last, and that college offers opportunities to form deeper connections with a more diverse group of people.
  • A few participants share personal experiences of maintaining long-term friendships from high school, contrasting them with new friendships made in college.
  • There is a discussion about the timing of exams and how they impact the emotional experience of the last day of school.
  • Some participants note that the excitement of graduation is overshadowed by stress related to upcoming exams and future responsibilities.
  • Concerns are raised about the perceived lack of celebration among those who enjoyed school, with some suggesting that only those who disliked school are happy about its end.
  • Several participants mention the importance of making an effort to stay in touch with friends after graduation, while acknowledging that it can be challenging.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express mixed feelings about the transition from high school to college, with some agreeing that college friendships can be more meaningful, while others remain attached to their high school experiences. The discussion reflects a range of emotions, with no clear consensus on the nature of friendships or the overall experience of graduation.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying degrees of nostalgia and anxiety, with some focusing on the emotional impact of leaving friends behind and others emphasizing the potential for new friendships in college. The discussion includes personal anecdotes that highlight the subjective nature of these experiences.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals navigating the transition from high school to college, those reflecting on their social experiences during school, and anyone interested in the emotional aspects of graduation may find this discussion relevant.

blackcat
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:frown::frown::frown::frown:

It sucks. I'm not going to see a lot of these people again. They were like family. I wish school lasted forever. :frown::mad:
 
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And when it lasts forever, you'd wish that it would end soon. :biggrin:

Think of those that you will meet when you join college. At least, these days, you can have a "hold" on most of your friends with e-mail and/or cell phones.
 
blackcat said:
It sucks. I'm not going to see a lot of these people again. They were like family.
Well, there is such a thing as telecommunications, whether it is email, internet, telephone, and whatever else someone dreams up.

I am occasionally in contact with a friend from 7th grade - about 40 years ago. I have another friend whom I've known since 10th grade, and I saw him just several weeks ago during a business trip. And still other friends from university. Then I work with 3 guys from the same nuclear engineering program - and I taught them as undergrads. :biggrin:

It is certainly a matter of effort to keep in touch, but well worth it IMO.
 
Yeah there are more communication tools available, but it's not the same as seeing them every single day in school. Oh well.
 
Hey! I graduated today from high school (err...it's 12:47, so yesterday).
 
woot. what's next?
 
Well the party was so fun. What's next? EXAMS!
 
It would have been so much better if exams had been before the last-day-of-school party. You will be writing the exams in school, so technically the last day of the exams would be the last day of school.
 
Yeah but that would have been impossible to organise for the school cause everyone does different exams on differnet days and people go on holidays. But I suppose people from the same social groups will throw parties after their exams.
 
  • #10
blackcat said:
:frown::frown::frown::frown:

It sucks. I'm not going to see a lot of these people again. They were like family. I wish school lasted forever. :frown::mad:

Me, too. I finish high-school last week, on Friday. It's pretty sad, when thinking that from now on, you'll hardly ever have a chance to meet your old friends again. :frown: :frown: :frown:

But, still, exams are coming... Nnnnooooooooo... :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: It hurts... :cry: :cry: :cry:
 
  • #11
AAAaaaand yet I am still stressed out to hell! My employer insists that I don't put in over 20 hours a week, yet I have a few deadlines coming up that wouldn't be possible with 50 hours in a week! #@($*#@(UDSF*DSY
 
  • #12
blackcat said:
It sucks. I'm not going to see a lot of these people again. They were like family. I wish school lasted forever. :frown::mad:
Oh c'mon. I've been a lot of places and you basically get new friends. You always think you're so close and you'll be with your high school sweetheart forever but posses are not forever.
 
  • #13
You know what? It sounds kinda mean, almost, but you're likely to make much better friends in college. It turned out that most of my "friends" from high school were just friends of convenience. When I got to college, I realized I could choose to hang out with any of 30,000 different people, all of whom were intelligent, worldly, and probably interested in some of the same things I was.

I graduated from high school ten years ago, and have close friendships with only two guys from high school. The rest I hardly remember, honestly. :sad:

- Warren
 
  • #14
Same here. High school friends tend not to be long-lasting. I only maintain regular communication with four of my old high school friends, and all of them attended different high schools than me! Indeed, as soon as I left for college, I don't remember ever talking to any of my old friends from high school any longer. On the other hand, I've just started grad school, and I still keep in touch with many of my college friends, despite that I'm almost 300 miles away. Seems like those friendships are a lot stronger.
 
  • #15
blackcat said:
:frown::frown::frown::frown:
I wish school lasted forever. :frown::mad:

Alice Cooper must be rolling in the grave he sleeps in at night.
 
  • #16
I agree with Chroot and arunma. I stayed friends with a couple of people from high school for a while, and they're all people who if our paths crossed, I'd meet up with them again, but we've all pretty much drifted off so that I only even stay in touch through things like Christmas card exchanges with one of them now. My college friends have been more lasting, though, even many of them are fading off in the distance. But, every place I move, I make new friends locally, and have made some friends not so locally, such as through PF. It's always a bit sad to leave the comfort of the people you know, but there are always new people to meet at the next destination, and that sadness won't last long once you start meeting them.
 
  • #17
wow i thought you would be celebrating. But now it reminds me of my "guru" who one day indicated to me one of his pupils as a "permanent student".

When I asked if he wanted another one, he said, "What?!" "Never graduate?"I got the point. Time to move on.
 
  • #18
VietDao29 said:
Me, too. I finish high-school last week, on Friday. It's pretty sad, when thinking that from now on, you'll hardly ever have a chance to meet your old friends again. :frown: :frown: :frown:
Well you should arrange stuff. Parties or card nights or whatever.

Mk said:
Oh c'mon. I've been a lot of places and you basically get new friends. You always think you're so close and you'll be with your high school sweetheart forever but posses are not forever.
Yeah that might be true in life, but you always think the group of people you know are the best ever and you'll still miss them regardless.

chroot said:
You know what? It sounds kinda mean, almost, but you're likely to make much better friends in college. It turned out that most of my "friends" from high school were just friends of convenience. When I got to college, I realized I could choose to hang out with any of 30,000 different people, all of whom were intelligent, worldly, and probably interested in some of the same things I was.
University just doesn't sound as fun as high school in terms of friends... I've just heard a lot of people have to kind of change their entire attitude.

SpaceTiger said:
Alice Cooper must be rolling in the grave he sleeps in at night.
I don't like Alice Cooper :mad:

wow i thought you would be celebrating.
There's nothing really to celebrate.. the only people I know are happy with school being out are the ones that really didn't like school or enjoy their lessons.

Well I am looking forward to meeting new people, we'll see in a few months.
 
  • #19
blackcat said:
I don't like Alice Cooper :mad:

Neither do I, but that doesn't mean I want him waking up with bruises.
 
  • #20
blackcat said:
University just doesn't sound as fun as high school in terms of friends... I've just heard a lot of people have to kind of change their entire attitude.
It's definitely much better. Your friends after your first four years in college will be much better than your high school friends.

Plus, you also get to live with them. Which, can be good or it might not be
 

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