Let me tell you about a special hell reserved for high schoolers and their parents/guardians. Oh, you have a high schooler? Well, then surely you already know this place. Don’t have a high schooler? Prepare and beware.
Of what, you ask?
HIGH SCHOOL REGISTRATION
Do not bring a toddler. And actually, if there is any possible way for you to avoid this day, DO IT.
I absolutely do not remember high school registration being so awful, horrible, miserable and LONG when I was in high school. Of course, that may have been because I was there to flirt and look at everybody’s new outfits. Rest assured, there was no flirting going on yesterday when I took my German daughter to high school registration. I did, however, raise my eyebrows at a few outfits: mainly the 1980s neon aerobic outfit that walked past me a time or two.
Mostly, however, I spent my 3 1/2 hours (no joke. THREE AND A HALF HOURS) in Murray High banging my head against the wall (figuratively, mind you. Figuratively). Let me take you on my journey.
First, we arrived and received a number. Then, we waited. And waited. And waited some more. Things were going ok because I brought treats, books and stuffed animals for my toddler.
They finally called our number and we were ushered into a hallway where we waited some more. Then, a door opened and in we went. We talked to an assistant principal who welcomed Caroline to school. While nice, waiting an hour to hear, “Welcome to our school and please come to our football games” feels a little less than welcoming.
Then, we waited for somebody to input information into a computer and were told to go wait in another line to pay some money.
Then it was off to pictures, after which we headed to another office where we waited. And waited. And waited. Are you sensing a theme?
Finally, after allowing my toddler to do many bad things (like climb on tables, shout and rip paper) just so I could get some peace and stop saying NO all the time, Caroline’s name was called! Joy of joys! We were sent down the hall to…you guessed it…wait outside another office. Meltdowns were now happening with an alarming frequency and intensity. Some were by my toddler. Many were by me. Caroline was behaving quite well. Germans are polite.
Finally, we went into the office to figure out Caroline’s schedule. One meltdown too many and Lydia and I were in the hall where she was getting a firm talking to and I was giving myself a timeout. While this was happening, the most confusing part of Caroline’s schedule was being explained to her. She didn’t understand it and because I wasn’t there, I didn’t understand it. We found ourselves in utter confusion.
Next, it was off to get a locker and finally her books. We purposely walked out a door that clearly said NOT AN EXIT because I was so fed up and tired that I wasn’t going to look anywhere for another exit when a perfectly good open door was right in front of me. Some 16 year old kid called out to me that I was going the wrong way, but I pretended I didn’t hear him.
We treated ourselves to Taco Bell afterwards. It was Caroline’s first Taco Bell experience and, thankfully, after a day of confusion, she liked it. But she is very happy she will never again have to experience another American high school registration. I, on the other hand, get to do this again in 12 years. Does anybody want to get paid to pretend to be me 12 years from now?
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
That really is truly unfortunate! Murray High, eh? My two college roommates are Murray High Alums. I spent the better part of my weekends during my college days in Murray. Good times, I tell you…good times. And isn’t David Archuleta from Murray High? Craziness.
Well, that really does sound like hell on earth. Or maybe the church we drove by in Livermore today was hell on earth…with a name like “Blazing Fire Church”. I’m not joking.
You couldn’t pay me enough! I don’t remember it being that bad AT ALL. We filled out some papers, got our schedule at school, snapped a photo, got our locker assignment and that was that. At least middle school for Madison was a breeze! I wish Caroline luck on her first day!
All I could do is groan when I read this and this was a late registration? What was it like on regular registration day? I wish I had been there to come and rescue Lydia. Sorry for your American Adventure Caroline.
Max just started kindergarten and buying all of the school supplies and dealing with registration was a lot of work, but totally worth it! He loves school and I am so pleased!
I honestly don’t remember it being that bad with my kids and with the first high schoolers, I had a couple of toddlers in tow! With Jacob, we were able to register through the mail then I just sent him over to the high school to figure things out himself. (you get rather lax with the last kid) Hopefully by the time Lydia gets in HS, it will all be on-line and she’ll only have to show up early to try out her locker!
Hope your German daughter has a wonderful experience.
Working so close to Murray High School, we see a lot of these students loitering around our parking lot or checking themselves out in our windows (mirrors from the outside). The outfits you listed are modest compared to what we see. Honestly, by the time my girls are of HS age, I will be homeschooling them under a rock. None of this registration nonsense! Glad to hear you finally got Caroline set for this school year – hopefully she has a good time, and doesn’t sneak off to Taco Bell
I swear I never went to high school. I was also never a Beehive, never got my period for the first time, and never had a crush on my math teacher who was really hot and I swear wanted to marry me.
LOL. Well, reading your post, I have to tell you I loved it. It was crazy fun. Thanks for having the experience that I could have a good laugh.
I do not look forward to this… next year. ahhhhh
a special hell
oh you crack me up