Lately it seems like school has become a joke and not the funny kind. You could ask any parent or teacher and they will tell you school does not seem the way it used to be for their generation. Instead of school being a place to focus on learning, traditions, and preparation for the future, it feels like we’re just going through the motions.
One of the biggest problems is attendance. So many students leave early or don’t bother to show up at all. It’s normal to see students walking in and out of the school throughout the day, whether they are starting or ending their school day. Most people do not question it because it’s the new normal so they don’t even notice. Being in school is not a priority anymore so it’s hard for students to take school seriously.
Another issue is how tradition is lost. Older generations talk about pep rallies, spirit days, and senior events that everyone looked forward to. Now, most traditions are canceled, half done, or just completely ignored. Nobody dresses up or shows any spirit, whether it’s for spirit days or athletic events. Barely any students attend school dances like Homecoming or Winter Formal (which has been cancelled for two years running). Even little things have been lost, like showing announcements in the mornings or going to pep rallies.
Without tradition our school does not feel like a community and people do not get excited about anything. Seeing fun high school events in movies or hearing about our parents’ memories made high school seem like it would be the best times of our lives, but now it feels like we are trapped and miserable for a few hours five times a week, and honestly, it’s partially our fault.
Lastly, when it comes to education, school barely challenges students and it doesn’t feel serious anymore. The school system feels like it’s lowering the bar. Teachers are exhausted, assignments are simplified, and students barely pay attention. Some students get pushed along without even knowing any material in order to keep a select schedule, but none of this helps our futures. Schools used to challenge older generations. Now students don’t even care to do the work or if they pass a test. They phone it in, sometimes literally, using AI and online tools to replace actual learning.
While I cannot complain about having an easy high school career and being given the opportunity to leave school, it’s been a double-edged sword. A lighter schedule has really helped with having free time for sports and work; however, I feel unprepared and cut short. School has become rushed and walked through. I feel like most stuff I learn doesn’t apply to anything I will do in the future. School has come to a point where many kids feel it’s pointless to even show up because no one takes it seriously and the work can always be completed later or at home.
With tradition fading away and expectations being lowered, school is losing its importance. If people want school to mean something again they can’t just pretend everything is okay and keep going through a repeated cycle. There needs to be real traditions students get excited about and real expectations that need to be followed through, not rushed assignments and half-filled classrooms. Right now it feels like a waste of time and we are missing out on many experiences.
