Lessons Learned Backwards.

"Time it was, and what a time it was, it was
A time of innocence, a time of confidences
Long ago, it must be, I have a photograph
Preserve your memories; They're all that's left you"

 I miss school life all of a sudden. Some weird withdrawal syndrome on leaving or something. I miss the people (even those I hated and laughed about and didn't really know), I miss the teachers (okay, that is just a lie in the guise of sentiment) and I miss the stupid staircase I had to climb up 4 floors of every morning (the biggest lie of them all).

These last 2 years, I learned a lot about people and the rules that apply in friendship.

And this is what I've come out with, after my high school craziness.

>That succumbing to peer pressure is just not worth the hassle, short term, and definitely not long term. No, you don't need a tattoo because 3 others got one, you'll still live if you don't have high-top Converse shoes, and it's okay to not be able to afford a 90 bucks coffee every day.

>I realized that the friendships I am most secure about today are those that have endured distance, prolonged silences, insane fights and simple, but long-standing misunderstandings. Sometimes just a text-message, or an old insider joke is enough to dissolve all differences. But you should be ready to put in a lot of heart into each friendship. Every person counts. Specially, in that inner circle.

> There are people I am more than happy to have out of my system, now that school and all the associated drama is over. Me being me, I look for a happy ending to all stories, but I also know that it is statistically impossible for me to please every person. And vice versa. I've made my peace with this fact. I'm happy in my space, and wish them happiness in theirs. No more.

>I feel extremely lucky I've met people who can tell me I'm fat, judgmental, bitchy, a midget, stupid and childish. My best friends. :)

>First impressions, surprisingly are sometimes,the most accurate impressions. You may know someone for the longest time, yet never really know them. I learned the not-so-nice way that people can disappoint, irritate, provoke and disgust you to the point of no return. And that my first instinct on meeting them was "Stay Awaaaaaay!".

>Sometimes, it's okay not to listen to the "friendly" advice given to you. In fact, that goes for most times. Credit yourself with more brains, than to mindlessly give in to others' opinions of you.

>Stories aren't coins. Of course, there are more than two sides to every story. Every person's unique way of spinning it, with their own dramatization and exaggerations. That may make you cry when you're in the middle of it sitting confused, but will also make you laugh at your blindness later. Rumors and gossip are only fun for a little while, that too when they're aimed at someone else. You forget you're hurting someone with your acerbic laughter.

>I suddenly realized how genuinely happy I sometimes am, when people beat all odds and people's sky-high expectations from them. Other times, I'm just shocked out of my chair and wish "Goddamnit, if he/she could do it, why not me?" Just being honest. :P

>The measure of a person's intelligence is not by his/her percentage in their school examinations. It's a measure of their hard work, consistency and tenacity at best. Intelligence can't really be quantified. And definitely not in the Indian education system, a temple of rote-learning and who-cares-if-you-really-understand-just-go-get-the-high-marks school of teaching.

>Having muscles, or money, or word-power, does not give you the right to think you are better than the next person. It's high time to get off that high pedestal you think you deserve, and it's time we stop putting you on one.

>When in doubt if you'll make it through high school, take inspiration from the Hogwarts school song-

"Just do your best, we'll do the rest,
And learn until our brains all rot."

Bridges have been burned, pages have been turned.

Lessons have been learned. :)