25 Ways That Adults Make It Obvious They Peaked In High School
Most of us look back on our high school days with a fond sense of nostalgia. Remembering favourite teachers, subjects, or activities often becomes a bonding experience when we meet up with friends. It’s a chance to reconnect through a lighthearted throwback to reunions, old photos, or memorable stories that still resonate when we’re together.
Some adults, however, bring up high school in a way that suggests they never really evolved beyond the inside jokes from when they were seventeen. Their identity remains rooted in their teenage glory days, and this tends to show up in familiar patterns. There’s the typical “Forever Quarterback”, “Prom-Queen-Turned-Brand-Strategist”, or even the “Drama Club Diva Turned Office Villain”. These stereotypes show up in the wild often enough that Redditors claim to have learned the best ways to identify them from a few subtle, and not-so-subtle, signs early on.
#1
Image source: Big_Witness, Alex Mertz
If Coach had put me in fourth quarter, we would’ve been state champions. No doubt. No doubt in my mind.
#2
Image source: senpaored, Adrià Crehuet Cano
Forcing their kids to be football players/dancers/actors because that was THEIR thing in high school. they weren’t good enough to go big leagues after school and they can’t cope with that so they live vicariously through their kids.
#3
Image source: doyer_bleu, gpointstudio
People who care about high school reunions too much
I graduated in 2010. We didnt have a ten year reunion because, you know covid.
The sheer drama about that jesus christ. My class had a 15th year reunion this year, and multiple people who I hadnt chatted with since 2010 messaged me asking why I wasnt coming
I moved across the country and never came back. My life did not peak in high school-it’s far better now. No desire to relive any if that.
#4
Image source: grumpybarista, Natilyn Hicks Photography
The red hat. It’s a giveaway.
#5
Image source: Chrono_Convoy, Getty Images
In my town it’s always car salesmen who were hired by the owner, their father.
Or home renovation salesmen who were hired by the owner, their father.
#6
Image source: UDPviper, Getty Images
Dude was a cocky jerk in high school. When I saw him years later bagging groceries he looked at me with a look of half shame, half-I hope he doesn’t recognize me. My life wasn’t great either, but at least I didn’t treat people like I was better than them.
#7
Image source: Dizzy_Industry1287, A. C.
Still bringing up high school stories like they were last weekend.
#8
Image source: recolorist, Getty Images
Still acting like a typical “Mean Girl” or “high school jerk” when they’re dang near (or past) 35.
#9
Image source: zande147, Nguyen Dang Hoang Nhu
Still talking about good grades, standardized test scores or other academic achievements when that didn’t translate into real world success.
Reddit loves to act like the jocks and popular girls were the only ones who peaked in high school. A lot of the nerds did too and are still chasing that high of academic validation, especially the ones that didn’t go on to apply those skills to a well paying career.
#10
Image source: WilmaTonguefit, Spencer Plouzek
Going to high school parties in your 20s.
#11
“Faith not Fear” or “Lions not Sheep” slogans on shirts and trucks. We get it bro, you’re super tough. .
#12
Image source: Commercial-Pen1136, Omar Fernández
Wearing your varsity letterman jacket to the bar (or grocery store) when you are in your mid-20s.
#13
Image source: tenderourghosts, Getty Images
Stay at home mom to MLM grifter pipeline.
#14
Image source: Relevant-Machine-763, Freepik
For me, i saw a lot of those about 10 years after graduation when I was a cable guy. Every Wednesday was non pay day.all the installers went out with 25 or so jobs each and either collected the past due or disconnected them at the pole ( it’s been a while). I worked the area where I grew up, and it was always awkward seeing the popular kids, cheerleaders, athletes, etc that had fallen pretty far. I was a cable guy , so no reason to brag, but it was shocking on some cases to see where they were.
#15
Image source: Willing_Crazy699, Kimberly Park
Using your HS graduation pic as your social media pic.
#16
Image source: Cominghome74, Kenny Eliason
Men whose lives still revolve around high school sports.
#17
Image source: Fat-Tony-69, Getty Images
Always talking about what happened in highschool, my friend and I are 25 and she regularly brings up things that happened 10 years ago in an effort to put other people down, and always sending me Facebook/ instagram posts of people I haven’t thought about in years.
#18
Image source: judithpoint, Getty Images
You still have “beef” with people from High School. There isn’t a single person I can think of from my High School that I hated enough to think about negatively. Not even old bullies. We were kids, now we’re not, I just hope you’re the best person you can be.
#19
Image source: gravemoss_, freepik
A divorce to their high school sweetheart and a messy fall out entirely publicised on facebook by the time they’re 25.
bonus points for cringy stuff / “i’m better than you now” quotes and content definitely not aimed at their ex.
#20
Image source: TallBobcat, Kateryna Hliznitsova
When I arrived at the school where I currently work, there was a late 20s guy who attended every football practice and wanted to attend every basketball practice because he played at the school and wanted to show his support.
I shut down attending basketball practice immediately. His *parents* called my boss, who was so flabbergasted he couldn’t form words when he was telling me that I’m within my rights to refuse to allow him in the gym.
The odd thing? We’ve never been that good at football here but that dude wore his letter jacket as a badge of pride.
#21
Image source: robotikempire, Getty Images
Always talking about the past and despite being 30-40 yo trying to cling to youth.
#22
Image source: bob-a-fett, Andrej Lišakov
Sticking with high school cliques at a 20 year reunion.
#23
Image source: Hevens-assassin, Daniel Neuhaus
Forcing their kids to relive their own youth when they hit high school.
#24
Image source: HaYouFoolishFool, Frolopiaton Palm
Adults who still bully others.
I think when people feel they’re past their peak, they continue acting that way to stay (what they consider to be) the best version of themselves. Someone who still bullies thinks that being a bully was the happiest they’ll ever be with themselves. The most fulfilled/satisfied they think they can attain. Which is sad, both in that I strongly disapprove, and that someone really sells their potential so short for most of their lives.
#25
Arrogance in general.
Image source: mysticalsierramistt
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