Response to Why You Never Truly Leave High School

In the article Why You Never Truly Leave High School, Jenifer Senior refers to studies that correlate makers in high school to success later in life. Height, weight and attractiveness measurements in high school supposedly have a relatively direct correlation with post-adolescent behavior and accomplishments. However, it seems that these biological markers are less inherent qualities and more of a Rorschach of the individuals mental states.

One of the markers for success with males is their height at age 16. For some inexplicable reason boys view height and size (without being overweight) as "bigger is better." The guys who are physically larger and taller  feel more confident and superior, to an extent, towards his peers. This confidence and visceral sense of superiority enables these students to achieve more inspiring more self-confidence, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy a continual upward spiral. The eventual size of guys is almost negligible because the sense of self developed during the most impressionable years, high school, sets the tone for later on. Needless to say, the confidence that catalyzes success and achievement can stem for a variety of different sources besides inherent size. Competency is perhaps more important than innate size.

Another indicator for the future is body weight in high school. Weight, especially for high school students, is a reflection of eating habits and other life style choices. It is not inconceivable that those who establish healthy eating habits and high school will likely retain those healthy habits later in life whole those do not establish beneficial ways of looking at health and food will have trouble developing them later in life. It seems fairly reasonable that those who are of a healthy weight and make a conscious effort to take care of themselves would have higher self-esteem than that of their overweight counterpart.

Lastly, attractiveness, has had direct correlation with success. However I find the concept misleading. The quality of attractiveness is not just the inherent bone structure and physical attributes written into a person's DNA. Activeness, to a certain extent, is about how individuals take care and then present themselves. Do they stay fit and in shape? Do they wash their face helping to minimize acne? Did the wear braces to straighten their teeth? Do they brush their hair every day? Do they value how they come across to others? Do they wear sweats all they time? These questions and aspects of the appearance have nothing to do with innate qualities and more about habitual routines. People who value their appearance and put in the effort to make themselves look nice and presentable is perhaps more indicative of success than a person's bone structure.