RIGHT now, as you are reading this, I am probably being handed a little white envelope containing my results from my Junior Certificate.
Contrary to popular belief, I am actually not nervous about the results themselves. What can I do about them now anyway?
I am actually quite excited about finally getting them back. This is the moment where I get to see have I done enough to earn a reward from my Dad.
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A lot of us are not even nervous to present my results to my teachers. What I am nervous about is what happens after we all flee from the school for what is known as “Results Night”. Honestly, terrified is probably a better word.
I am not going to convict anyone of any crimes that I have never been around to witness. I am not going to turn this article into another spiel about what goes on in town on results night. You can get that from any adult passer by. That is not why I am here.
I think people need to hear our side of things and I just want to express the pressure that you are put under to participate in the events that take place after dark and how you don’t have to participate in them if you are not comfortable in doing so.
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People always talk about results night. It is a term that a lot of people have been familiar with since we were quite small. Back then we always viewed it as an occasion to put on your best party dress and have some fun with your friends. Innocent thoughts unfortunately.
For quite a while now, maybe since I had those extra few minutes in that CSPE exam back in June, a lot of us have been dreading results night and what is expected of you (once again you have all heard the stories, so I am not going to repeat them).
Some people are just a little different regarding teen matters. For example, I have never worn fake tan, I have never owned a bottle of the popular orange foundation and I have never once set foot inside a disco.
Just because it is “Results night”, I don’t plan on changing any of these facts. I am quite happy with these statements. I just sometimes find myself crippling under the pressure. You can fill in the blanks for yourselves about what I am avoiding.
All my friends want to enjoy their results night. Obviously, everyone does. Sometimes, those of us who are that little bit different, just feel like I am holding them back sometimes.
Because I don’t want to go to some disco. I don’t want to be the pale little weirdo in the corner that writes a blog.
I am one of the many who just don’t want to be judged on the night where we are meant to be celebrating.
The reason that I am expressing this too you is because I know that I am not alone. Whether you are an adult reading this, or someone like myself just receiving their results, you must have felt the pressure that comes with being handed that little white envelope.
As sad as it is that I may be the only one at home watching Netflix, I think that it is important that I stick to my morals on this one.
I don’t want anyone , including myself, to be forced into doing something that they are not comfortable with, just because it is “Results night”. That is not fair, nor is it necessary.
I know for a fact that I will feel left out and I will feel a little pang when I see the streams of selfies as I scroll through my feed. Many people just like me may feel the same.
But I know that I will be happier in the long run. I know that when I am ready to participate in some of the antics (I emphasise the word some ), I will and I will enjoy them.
Don’t feel pressured to participate in the less than savoury celebrations if you don’t want to. It is your choice. You just finished your junior cert for God’s sake, cut yourself a little slack.
The people who you won’t find in the park may be seen celebrating the old fashioned way by popping into a boutique in town or buying a book. Who knows it may even get a little crazy…
Who knew so much feeling could come with that little white envelope, eh?
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