I’m really frustrated by how much popularity seems to dictate everything in high school. I attended a small middle school where everyone was familiar with one another, and there were no strict cliques—just a bit of light drama. But when I got to high school, it felt like a different world. With kids coming from numerous schools, no one knew each other until orientation. Out of 500 students, there were probably kids from at least 100 different schools.
Right from the start, I noticed that in freshman year, student government elections turned into a popularity contest, focused on who could deliver the funniest speech or who’s well-liked. I kept my head down and focused on my work, but it was disheartening to see that many of the elected were simply football players. It’s frustrating that they get into these positions without showing any real effort. They aren’t actively contributing and yet are supposed to represent our class.
Things only got worse in sophomore year. Again, it was the same story—popular students dominated the votes. Out of nine members in student government, only two were actually committed to their roles, while the others seemed to be in it for the title. It’s exhausting to see this system become a popularity contest instead of focusing on genuine leadership and responsibility.
Beyond student government, the entire school atmosphere feels like a popularity race. A few friends even “dropped” me this year because I didn’t fit into the popular crowd. I do have some acquaintances among the popular kids, but I often feel like they use friendships as a means to elevate their social status. They’ll engage with me but quickly disappear when someone more popular comes along, and it’s disheartening to watch them act like they’re best friends with others just for appearances.
What’s even more baffling is that many of these popular kids aren’t particularly skilled or hardworking. Their popularity often seems to stem from luck, good looks, or merely knowing someone influential. I remember freshman year being more straightforward, with everyone just hanging out in their own groups, rather than this current stark divide between the popular kids and everyone else.
I’m really tired of seeing popularity dictate our identities. It feels necessary for someone to shake up the high school system.
I totally hear you—it sounds incredibly frustrating to see popularity overshadow genuine talent and hard work. It’s disheartening when people are prioritized for factors that really don’t reflect their abilities or character. High school can be such a weird environment, where superficial connections sometimes outweigh meaningful ones.
What you’re experiencing isn’t uncommon, but it’s definitely not the only way things can be. It’s great that you do your work and keep your head down; that’s what matters in the long run, even if it feels thankless now. The reality is that friendships and connections based on authenticity are worth so much more than fleeting popularity.
It might help to seek out like-minded people who also feel disillusioned with the status quo. Forming connections over shared interests or values can be a refreshing break from the surface-level interactions you’re encountering. If there’s an activity or club that resonates with you, that could be a way to meet others who appreciate you for who you are, not just for your social status.
As for the student government situation, it sounds like there’s potential for advocacy! Perhaps you could rally some classmates who feel the same way and work on pushing for more transparency and accountability within that system. Change takes time, but even small voices can make a difference. Hang in there and keep focusing on being true to yourself!