"Mom! How Do I Turn On the Dishwasher Again?"

    It's been almost a week since I've finished my college applications, and I've never been so happy to go back to regular class homework. Yet, somehow, they find a way to follow me everywhere I go, even in places where they hold literally no importance.

    Take my job for instance. It's a Panera Bread, not a Troy High AP class. So, imagine my surprise when one of my managers who, mind you, isn't in college and isn't applying, begins talking to me about the college application process, what college is like, et cetera. Then, she randomly adds, "I'd never let my four year-old at the age of 17 or 18 move out to a college across the state or country." And I, being a yes-man, nodded my head and smile in agreement, knowing fully damn well I'm doing just that. With my disagreement of her opinion coming from a standpoint where I am said 17 year-old, however, I looked at her belief with new eyes. And, when I did, I understood why she thought that.

    Think about it: a 17-18 year-old will leave home with no supervision and is expected to try to refrain themselves from certain underage illegal activities? Because that's definitely practical. But seriously, we as a society genuinely expect these teens to pay bills, keep up good grades and somehow take care of themselves all alone with them most likely not knowing how to use a peeler and turn on a laundry machine? Who are we kidding? Them or us? Because I have a sinking feeling it's not the former.

    The real problem here though is our school system, because whoever built it was absolutely not taught properly. Kids are expected to choose their lifelong careers at the old age of 18, and our minds don't even fully develop until 25? We've still got a good eight years, yet we're held to the standard of not only completing high school and college but also getting a stable job that will provide for us for the rest of our lives. Ha! Because that's totally realistic and perfectly thought through.  

    Overall, I've learned that not only am I a complete hypocrite, high schoolers in general are cooked for the long run. 






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