School was tricky to navigate for the best of us. But when you were in an all-girls establishment, things could get a little bit more… hairy. Literally. Then there was the bitchiness, intense academic competition… and close encounters of the female kind.
But one thing unites us single-sex educated ladies above all else — the fact that we wouldn’t change our high school experience for the world (except for, perhaps, a mixed school with boys… lots of boys).
So to all the soul sisters out there, here’s a little trip down memory lane.
#1. As a group, you were addressed as “girls” or “ladies.”
In a very demanding tone and a condescending look.
#2. You had crushes on girls.
Or you thought about it at least.
#3. Seeing a boy on the school grounds was like seeing the rise of Jesus Christ himself.
Oh how you stared.
#4. The school badass was whoever violated the dress-code the most.
Whoever had the shortest skirt or wore bright socks was just asking for a demerit.
#5. You were unintentionally brought up as a feminist.
You were taught to be a fierce leader, though feminism was another F-word, which you never heard your teachers say.
#6. You were in some sense, ‘domesticated.’
You had classes in cooking, sewing, formal dining, and you were even taught how to clean properly.
#7. Your boy crushes were very limited.
The hot science teacher, your friend’s older brother, or *gulp* the principal’s son. There just weren’t a lot of fish in your sea.
#8. You shaved your legs, like, never.
Why would you?
#9. Make-up was a fairly foreign concept.
It wasn’t like there was anyone you wanted to look good for. You were perfectly happy with your fresh face and messy ponytail.
#10. No one was awkward about asking for a pad or a tampon.
You could talk about it as openly as you wanted to, and no one would mind.
#11. You survived all those synced periods.
Hell hath no fury like a class full of girls fueled by the devil’s waterfall.
#12. You knew at least one girl who had never spoken to a boy.
And it was only kind of weird.
#13. You also knew at least one girl who never even seemed interested in boys.
Yep.
#14. You had to read Jane Austen for class.
Or Virginia Woolf, because, girl power! Yeah!
#15. It took you a while to learn how to interact with the opposite sex.
“Uh, maybe I should just smile?”
#16. You didn’t understand why girls would choose to wear pants.
Because for years you only ever wore skirts. How do legs even breathe underneath all that fabric?
#17. You weren’t taught sex ed properly.
You were taught more about chastity, and the sanctity of marriage. Repeat after me: abstinence is the best form of protection.
#18. At one point, you were cast as a boy in a school play.
And you looked like a pretty damn good one, too.
#19. You grew up to be somewhat of a girl scout.
You are always prepared. For anything.
#20. You always wore shorts underneath your skirt.
Those butt cheeks were for your eyes only.
#21. You had no complaints about doing manual work.
“We are women, hear us roar!”
So there you have it, ladies. And while there is no doubt that we enjoyed every last minute of our oestrogen-powered years, we’re also even more glad to be out and in the real world.