Potentially the most important factor in high school life is one’s friends. They provide emotional support and allow you to grow as a person throughout those four years--what some call the most crucial stage of development. Having a boyfriend/girlfriend who will guide you along your journey will positively impact your mental health, lending a foundation for strong relationships in the future. However, we all know that the utmost priority in one’s school life is status, and the epitome of status upgrades lies in the acquisition of a date of higher standing than oneself. While your friend group generally determines your placement in the teenage ranking system, the attainment of a higher-level s.o. becomes the only way to alter one’s social capital after the initial designation has been made.
We all know the benefits of gossiping with a significant other; the conspiracy between you brings you closer together--unless you get caught, in which case those secret conversations are more likely to start a fight than anything else. But let’s forget about that for now; the pros greatly outweigh the cons here. One of the most memorable parts of high school is the endless homework. The hours spent writing analysis essays, solving never-ending math equations, and memorizing hundreds of seemingly useless nouns in Spanish. Who wouldn’t want to leave that mind-numbing slog behind? The nail salon around the corner is calling….your boyfriend would love it if you came home with a mani-pedi, new heels, and even more liquid lipstick and maybe you could bring him a Starbucks while you’re at it. It’s not like these constant excursions are draining both your wallet and your self-esteem. I promise that disregarding your education in favor of the greater good--gaining the undying devotion of, and validation from, your partner--will be worth it.
It is of the utmost importance that you meet society’s perception of beauty, and we all know that catering to every whim of the supreme love interest in your life is far more rewarding and affirming than any tedious assignment shoved at you by the overlords of education. Who needs Algebra, AP Government, or Spanish when you know the language of love-sick teenagers? Nevermind that your high school fling will probably only last a few months or that you are leaving your own needs by the wayside. As the Beatles say, “all you need is love.”