#33 - Reflecting on My High School Experience

An episode of the Safety Last podcast, hosted by Stanley Ching, titled "#33 - Reflecting on My High School Experience" was published on September 29, 2022 and runs 69 minutes.

September 29, 2022 ·69m · Safety Last

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Summary

Alain de Botton said “The furniture insists that we cannot change because it does not; the domestic setting keeps us tethered to the person we are in ordinary life.” I think this is a perfect summary of high school. The fact you see the same people everyday means you build really strong connections, but simultaneously, the fact that you are always surrounded by the same faces means that you’re trapped by the judgement and expectations of your peers. So, do I regret attending a private high school? I think I do; however, I am also aware that as the years have passed, my feelings towards my high school have increasingly soured, something that I didn’t feel when I was on the verge of graduating. So, why did this happen? What were the events and people that changed my mindset? To discuss this topic, I’m reuniting with Nathan; host of the podcast Pod Position, one of my best friends, a fellow student, and someone who has had to endure me for more than a decade. TIMESTAMP:   (5:55) - Nathan's engagement (10:35) - Would I send my child to a private school?   (12:30) - Fear of girls & house parties   (16:50) - Benefits of co-ed education   (19:40) - School formals & showing off   (23:05) - Racism in high school   (27:15) - Representation in media   (32:05) - A personal story of self-hate   (36:50) - My mum confronted me about my insecurities   (42:10) - Nathan gate crashing a party (50:25) - Social anxiety (54:35) - My social clout (59:35) - Would I redo high school? (1:03:45) - Writing a letter to yourself

Episode Description

Alain de Botton said “The furniture insists that we cannot change because it does not; the domestic setting keeps us tethered to the person we are in ordinary life.” I think this is a perfect summary of high school. The fact you see the same people everyday means you build really strong connections, but simultaneously, the fact that you are always surrounded by the same faces means that you’re trapped by the judgement and expectations of your peers.
So, do I regret attending a private high school? I think I do; however, I am also aware that as the years have passed, my feelings towards my high school have increasingly soured, something that I didn’t feel when I was on the verge of graduating. So, why did this happen? What were the events and people that changed my mindset?
To discuss this topic, I’m reuniting with Nathan; host of the podcast Pod Position, one of my best friends, a fellow student, and someone who has had to endure me for more than a decade.

TIMESTAMP:
(5:55) - Nathan's engagement
(10:35) - Would I send my child to a private school?
(12:30) - Fear of girls & house parties
(16:50) - Benefits of co-ed education
(19:40) - School formals & showing off
(23:05) - Racism in high school
(27:15) - Representation in media
(32:05) - A personal story of self-hate
(36:50) - My mum confronted me about my insecurities
(42:10) - Nathan gate crashing a party
(50:25) - Social anxiety
(54:35) - My social clout
(59:35) - Would I redo high school?
(1:03:45) - Writing a letter to yourself