Revelations of College

Ch. 1: Last Day of School
It was finally the greatest day of high school: the very last day. No more homework, texts, quizzes, and other repetitive academic chores. I’m a free man, I thought. Free from the oppression of FCAT, mathematics and rigorous science courses. I formed a beautiful Christmas tree on my last multiple choice test and made haste for the exit door. I smiled and felt my feet lift off the ground as I casually swam through the crowds of bustling teenagers making their way for the busses; luckily I own a car. I drove away from that wretched confinement for the very last time. No more high school, and no more school work.

Ch. 2: Real Life
Two months had passed and no doubt was I enjoying the relaxation. I began to dabble in an excess of hedonism and it began to take a toll on my abdomen. All the nights of heavy-drinking and late night pizza was delivering an early case of the freshman fifteen. I got out of bed and my way to the bathroom to check out the damage. I now have some definite pudge that needs to be taken care of, and a sticky note on my mirror that read: “Time to get a job!” I sighed, realizing that I had escaped one evil only to be introduced to another.

Ch. 3: Customer Service is Awful
The only place that would hire a fresh recruit to life outside of high school was my local McDonald’s. I hustled to and from the nasty burger joint every day, managing a full-time position as a fry cook. I could never put SpongeBob to shame, but I’m sure minimum wage is higher than Bikini Bottom. I flipped patty after patty and crafted sandwich after sandwich. My hands wreaked of fatty-oils and beef. These eight-hour shifts are grueling, but at least the food is free to employees: the latter is the greatest evil of the establishment. McChicken, McDouble, fries and milkshakes became the scourge of the dieting world. My abdomen continued to frown at my choices, but I continued to be reckless.

Ch. 4: Community College
It’s definitely an improvement from McDonald’s, but a sad reminder of the high school struggle. Luckily the schedule is more accessible to students, allowing the liberty to choose professors and days of the week to attend. It seems like a constant struggle for the young generation. Subjecting ourselves to miserable minimum-wage jobs and lousy work, but perhaps that is all we feel adept at doing until we can wave that diploma in the air; and then maybe we will feel confident in our ability to succeed. The hardships ahead are grueling, but it’s important to keep fighting and to enjoy your youth while it still exists. Consume yourself in work and academics and there will be no room for life’s greatest pleasures: the trivial matters of entertainment. Embrace your youth and make the most out of your night.