Popularity. Some would say it’s the ultimate key to survival in high school, while others would say differently. Popularity can open many doors, but it can also build walls.
Traditionally, being popular consists of more social opportunities and a stronger sense of belonging. However, it can also create pressure to fit in and keep up with an image.
Mr. Timothy Caouette, Oakmont English teacher, said, “I think there are pressures…and to maintain that status, I think that exists, but again I also think it’s dependent upon the individual.”
With that being said, popularity may make high school more stressful for some.
Popular students may feel like they always have to look a certain way, act a certain way, or keep up with trends to stay accepted.
Ms. Erin Bergin, Oakmont history teacher, said, “Maintaining popularity and not always staying true to themselves because they are afraid to be ostracized from that group. Making decisions that they might not have made if they weren’t part of the popular crowd.”
This can be stressful and make it hard for them to be themselves, even if they seem confident or carefree on the outside.
Popular students are often stereotyped as confident, outgoing, and liked by everyone. Many people assume they are athletes, trendsetters, or more focused on social life than academics.
There is also a common belief that popular students have easier and less stressful lives. Some even think popular students are mean and get special treatment. However, these stereotypes don’t always reflect reality, since popular students can face pressures, insecurities, and challenges just like everyone else.
According to Sedona Sky Academy, “The desire to be popular can lead to feelings of social anxiety, as individuals may constantly worry about how they are perceived by their peers.”
Students experience school very differently depending on their social status. Popular students often enjoy more attention, social opportunities, and confidence, but they may also face stress, pressure, and gossip.
Average students might have a mix of social connections without being in the spotlight, balancing friends, academics, and personal interests. Students who don’t care about popularity often focus on hobbies, academics, or close friendships, facing less social pressure but sometimes feeling invisible in larger social circles.
Oakmont senior, Alexis Polan, said, “The less popular students, in my opinion, try to include themselves in the more popular social circles. I do agree that there’s definitely less social pressure, but isolated from those more popular groups.”
Each experience comes with its own challenges and benefits, showing that there’s no single ‘right’ way to navigate school life.
Oakmont sophomore, Stazja Hines, said, “I believe that popularity in high school is definitely a promising way to survive all four years of high school, but it’s not mandatory to thrive.”
One advantage of being popular is increased confidence when students feel accepted and supported by many of their peers; they feel more comfortable being themselves, speaking up, and participating in class and social situations.
“I often notice the more popular students engaging in class, along with other social situations. I definitely think popularity makes it easier for them and boosts their confidence around their peers.” Polan said.
The positive attention from others often boosts their self-esteem and makes students feel more secure in their social standing. This confidence can help students take on leadership roles, try new activities, and feel less afraid of judgment. As a result, popularity encourages students to be more outgoing and self-assured when at school.
Being popular often puts students in the spotlight, which can be stressful. Popular students are watched more closely by teachers and peers, and their actions are often noticed and judged.
Oakmont senior Allie McLaughlin said, “Being in the spotlight can definitely create pressure for some students when it comes to popularity…The constant pressure to maintain a perfect image can take a toll on the way they navigate through high school.”
This constant attention can make them feel pressure to act perfectly, stay “cool,” and avoid mistakes, even in situations where most students wouldn’t worry.
Not all students experience school through the spotlight of popularity. Some students feel invisible or left out, struggling to be noticed or included in social activities. This can lead to feelings of loneliness, low self-esteem, or frustration. Even if these students have close friends, they still may feel excluded from the bigger social circles that dominate school life.
Students who aren’t in the spotlight often face less social pressure. They may feel freer to be themselves without worrying about keeping up an image, following trends, or staying ‘on top’ in social circles.
“High school students who have a small circle of close friends are happier later in life than those who were popular.” Rachel K. Narr, a doctoral student in clinical psychology who led the study with a team from the University of Virginia, said in a statement.
This can reduce stress and allow them to focus more on hobbies, schoolwork, and friendships that truly matter.
Confidence and success don’t look the same for every student. Popular students may gain confidence through social recognition and leadership roles, while non-popular students often build confidence in small groups or personal achievements, like academics and hobbies.
Caouette said, “At Oakmont, I think we do a good job of recognizing accomplishments in all of our students, no matter their social status.”
Success can also vary; some students thrive in the spotlight, while others find fulfillment in smaller accomplishments. Both types show that confidence and achievements are limited to being popular.
Popularity in schools has often changed over time, over the decades. In the 1980s and 1990s, popularity was often tied to sports, school cliques, and being seen at social events or dances. Movies and television shows from those decades, like Clueless or Mean Girls, early 2000s, inspired by ‘90s culture, shaped ideas of who was ‘cool’ and who wasn’t.
Oakmont senior, Julia Laprade, said, “When I think about popularity in the 1980s and 1990s, I often think about how popularity consisted of athletes, and they were often viewed as bullies.”
Today, social media has added a whole new layer; students can gain status through followers, likes, and online trends, making popularity more public and sometimes more stressful. While the basics of being liked haven’t changed, the ways students show it and measure it have evolved with pop culture and technology.
Laprade said, “Social media has definitely made popularity more stressful because they want to have this perfect image of how others view them through their social media platforms.”
Research shows that teen social groups are an important part of adolescence, helping students develop identity, confidence, and social skills. Most teens belong to multiple groups, such as friends from school, sports teams, or online communities.
Studies also show that teens are influenced by peer pressure and the desire to fit in, which can affect behavior, interests, and even mental health. While popular students often have larger social circles, smaller friend groups can provide stronger emotional support.
Overall, social groups play a key role in shaping teen experiences both in and out of school.
Students experience school very differently depending on their social status. Popular students often enjoy more attention, social opportunities, and confidence, but they may also face stress, pressure, and gossip.
Average students might have a mix of social connections without being in the spotlight, balancing friends, academics, and personal interests.
Students who don’t care about popularity often focus on hobbies, academics, or close friendships, facing less social pressure but sometimes feeling invisible in larger social circles.
Each experience comes with its own challenges and benefits, showing that there’s no single ‘right’ way to navigate school life.
Ultimately, success in high school isn’t just about popularity.
Students can define success in their own way – through close friendships, personal growth, pursuing passions, or being true to themselves. Focusing on what makes them happy and fulfilled can lead to a more meaningful and balanced high school experience.
