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In my third year of secondary school a lot has changed, but one thing that remains constant is where I’m seated in class. Because of alphabetically-ordered seating plans, the back row will, quite literally, have my name on it.

The back is good. It’s a place that goes unnoticed by teachers when you’re chatting, graffiti-ing tables, avoiding questions, or, like me, dozing off in a math lesson. It’s also a brilliant place to observe what school life actually is.

The obvious changes are easily noticed: half the girls have outgrown the boys and the students who last year would’ve winced at the mention of the opposite gender are now cuddling up to their boyfriend/girlfriend. One of the biggest transformations, though, is students’ attitudes towards lessons, teachers and each other.

In some ways the change is a shame because those who used to be intellectual and eager to learn have lost their enthusiasm for school simply because it’s the best way to avoid the ridicule of classmates; no one wants to be teased, even if it means having to stay quiet and keep your head down.

But where something is lost, something is gained: maturity. Previous class-clowns who once pretended not to care (we all know one…if you don’t, it’s probably you!) care now; they’ve settled down and set their priorities, ranking academic status above social status.

On the other hand, other students take up the joker’s role to impress their peers, constantly making un-amusing insults in poor taste, making a fool of yourself for the approval of other students – who laugh at you, not with you.Is it really worth it?

For now, I stay quiet and keep these observations for pen and paper (well, keyboard and Microsoft Word) during class. I certainly have changed. I used to be someone who didn’t care, now I’m one who wants to learn. Although I like my subjects, I now know how to go about it while fitting in. Even though we don’t like it, it’s best for us to fit in for a little while. The conformity is short-lived. Am I happy that I’ve changed? Yes. I’ve grown socially, which is important. Peer pressure is not always a bad thing, if you know who you are, what you’re willing to do and to what extent.

The crowd will either be cheering for you or jeering at you; it’s a very thin line between them. Convince yourself they’re always cheering for you and you can do anything you want.