High school makes students believe that popularity is the most important thing in the world. That’s why sports jocks and mean girls strut around hallways as if they own the place, never mind that they’re not teacher’s pet. Getting detention is even less embarrassing for them than joining book clubs or quiz bees.
This culture enabled bullying, affecting the bookish, geeky, and nerdy types of students the most. The “cool” kids trampled their self-confidence, making fun of their hobbies and interests. Bullying became so rampant that the media declared it an epidemic. They rallied for the public to view the tragic results of bullying as a wake-up call.
If you’re considered one of the uncool kids on campus, however, you should, in fact, be relieved. It’s hard to believe, but life after high school will be so much better for you. If you’re being bullied relentlessly, though, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people. They would help you get through this rough phase, allowing you to welcome life after high school with a fresh perspective.
So what exactly can you expect after high school?
Getting Into a Prestigious College or University
Your high GPA may paint you as nothing more than a nerd today, but after high school, you’d find yourself facing amazing college prospects. The rate of acceptance in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and other prestigious schools might be what your GPA is. Generally speaking, a GPA of at least 4.17 will make MIT a reach for you. And if you indeed made it there, you’d likely land a high-paying job after graduating.
You’ll Be Richer than Your Cool Classmates
According to a study published in the Eastern Economic Journal, boys who increase their GPAs by an extra point can earn 11.85% more in their paycheck in the future. Girls, on the other hand, can earn 13.77% more for every extra point.
However, one of the study’s authors said that so far, no study has previously explored the long-term link between high school GPA and adult pay. Their research only studied the influence of high school performance on future earnings. Basically, students with a higher GPA are more likely to finish college, and higher education often leads to better pay.
If you finish college at MIT, then your earnings may blow up even more. According to an analysis by PayScale, MIT graduates are the second-highest earning workers in the country, following Harvey Mudd College graduates. So even if you didn’t make it to Harvard or Yale, you don’t have to worry about not living a prosperous adult life.
Your Social Life Will Improve
Socializing can be a nightmare for uncool kids. Often, they keep to a small group, eager to avoid attention as much as possible. While there is nothing wrong with having a small circle of friends, you may find yourself interacting with more people outside your bubble after high school.
A study has found that the cool kids in high school tend to become less socially competent adults. They’re also more likely to deal with substance abuse and engage in criminal activities. On the contrary, the uncool kids who had been scarred by their high school experiences outgrow the desire to be liked.
They’d learn to embrace their qualities, even if they made them uncool in their youth. The opposite happens to the cool kids who continue to pursue greater likability or greater status until adulthood. And with social media affecting users’ self-esteem, they only suffer more.
Of course, that isn’t the case for every cool kid out there, nor every uncool kid. Improving your social life takes work. Your self-confidence will matter. It’s not going to be easy to make friends after being a wallflower for so long. But trust that in time, you’ll boost your confidence and be proud of who you are. That will give you the drive to pursue a more enriching social life.
You’ll Accomplish Something Great
J.K. Rowling described herself as a “child who lived mostly in daydreams and books.” She was bullied because of it, but we all know where her daydreams and love for books have led her. The first Harry Potter book became one of the best-selling books of all time, and until now, the series is making the lives of children and bookworms magical.
Television host Tim Gunn also described himself as the “classic nerd” in school. Now he is a fashion world icon, with his catchphrase “Make it work” becoming highly famous.
You don’t have to be like Rowling or Gunn, but you’ll achieve something great nonetheless. So don’t let anyone make fun of the things you love. Keep being bookish, geeky, and nerdy because your brilliance is what makes the world a good place to live in.
