Speaker : Finn

Did you go to a high school near where you lived? Why or why not?

Yeah, I did, actually. It was only about fifteen minutes from my house, so getting there was pretty easy. I usually rode my bike every morning, which I really liked—it gave me a bit of time to wake up before classes started. My parents also preferred me going to a nearby school since it was safer and just more convenient.

What was your high school like?

I’d say it was fairly typical for a public high school, but overall, it was a good environment to grow up in. The facilities weren’t particularly modern, and some of the buildings looked a bit outdated, but the teachers were dedicated and the students were generally friendly. Academically, it was quite competitive, so there was definitely a lot of pressure to perform well.

What did you like most about your high school?

Probably the friendships I built there. Looking back, that’s what I value the most. I had a close-knit group of friends, and we spent almost every day together, whether it was studying for exams or just hanging out after school. I think those relationships made even the stressful parts of high school much more enjoyable.

Was there anything you didn’t like about your high school?

Yeah, definitely the academic pressure. At times it felt like everything revolved around grades and exams, so students were constantly stressed out. I remember having periods where I barely had any free time because I was buried in homework and test preparation. In hindsight, I think the school could’ve encouraged a healthier balance between studying and personal life.

What was your favourite subject in high school?

I’d probably say math. I know a lot of students found it difficult or even intimidating, but I actually enjoyed the logical side of it. There was something really satisfying about solving a complicated problem step by step and finally arriving at the correct answer. I also liked the fact that math felt very objective compared to subjects where answers were more open to interpretation.

Did you have a favourite teacher in high school?

Yeah, my math teacher was probably my favorite. What made him stand out was the way he explained difficult concepts so clearly that even weaker students could follow along. He also had a good sense of humor, which made the lessons feel less stressful. More importantly, he was the kind of teacher who genuinely wanted students to improve rather than just memorize formulas for exams.

Did you take part in any extracurricular activities in high school?

No, not really. To be honest, my high school didn’t offer many extracurricular activities in the first place, so there weren’t a lot of options available. On top of that, I wasn’t particularly talented in areas like sports or music, so I never felt strongly motivated to join anything. Most of the time, I just focused on my studies and spent time with my friends after class instead.

What was your relationship like with your classmates in high school?

Overall, it was really good. I got along with most people in my class, even if we weren’t especially close friends. Since we spent so many years together, we naturally became quite comfortable around each other. Of course, there were occasional disagreements here and there, but nothing serious. I’d say the atmosphere was generally supportive and relaxed.

Do you still keep in touch with any of your high school friends?

Yeah, I still keep in touch with a few of my closest friends from high school. We all go to different universities now, so it’s obviously harder to meet regularly, but we still text each other quite often and sometimes meet up during holidays. Even though we’re busy with our own lives, it’s nice that we’ve managed to stay connected over the years.

How do you think your high school could have been improved?

I think one major improvement would’ve been offering students more opportunities outside academics. For example, the school could’ve introduced more clubs, workshops, or creative activities so students with different interests had a chance to develop their skills. I also think better career guidance would’ve helped because a lot of students, including me, were pretty uncertain about what we wanted to do after graduating.

Speaker: Blondie

Did you go to a high school near where you lived?

Actually, I didn’t. I grew up in a quiet suburb, but I ended up attending a school in the city center. My parents were quite keen on a specific academy there known for its arts program, so I had to put up with a forty-minute commute. It was a bit of a trek, but looking back, it was definitely worth the effort.

What was your high school like?

It was a bit of a vibrant melting pot, really. Because it was centrally located, it drew students from all sorts of backgrounds, which made for a very energetic atmosphere. Architecturally, it was a bit of a mismatch—half grand Victorian building and half modern extensions—so it felt quite unique, if a little chaotic.

What did you like most about your high school?

I’d have to say the sense of creative freedom. Our teachers really encouraged us to think outside the box rather than just focusing on rote learning. We also had these fantastic common areas that really fostered a sense of community and intellectual curiosity among the students.

Was there anything you didn’t like about your high school?

If I’m being honest, the administrative side of things was a bit of a nightmare. The school was quite oversubscribed, so simple tasks like changing a class schedule often felt like an uphill battle. It could be pretty frustrating when you just wanted to get on with your studies.

What was your favourite subject in high school?

I was absolutely obsessed with English literature. I’ve always been a bit of a bookworm, and I loved dissecting the complex themes in classic novels. There was something so satisfying about uncovering a hidden metaphor; it never really felt like ‘work’ to me.

Did you have a favourite teacher in high school?

I did! My history teacher, Ms. Sterling, was legendary. She told history like it was a gripping drama rather than just reciting dry dates and facts. She was incredibly demanding, but to be fair, she genuinely cared about our progress, which made us all want to work harder.

Did you take part in any extracurricular activities?

Yes, I was quite heavily involved in the Drama Club. We put on two major productions a year, and I loved the whole process, from the nerve-wracking auditions to the final curtain call. It was a fantastic outlet for stress and really helped build my confidence.

What was your relationship like with your classmates?

On the whole, it was very positive. My year group was quite tight-knit, and there wasn’t much ‘clique’ culture, which I know can be an issue. We all generally looked out for one another, especially during the high-pressure exam seasons.

Do you still keep in touch with any of your high school friends?

Absolutely. I have a core group of four girlfriends from high school, and we’re still inseparable. Even though we’ve gone off to different universities and started various career paths, we make a point of meeting up at least once a month. They’re the people who knew me before I really knew myself, so those bonds are incredibly resilient.

How do you think your high school could have been improved?

I think it could have benefited from a greater focus on practical life skills. While we were well-prepared academically, things like financial literacy were somewhat overlooked. A few seminars on how to navigate the professional world would have been incredibly beneficial before we hit adulthood.