The kids are all right: How to survive high school stereotypes (through a DVD marathon)

MANILA, Philippines - Movies have always been one of the best teachers in life. They educate us about the perks of being a wallflower, awkward dancing, and that Prince Charmings do not need a horse. School, on the other hand, at least for most of us, is where reality hits us. It doesn’t meet our expectations, it stereotypes us, and makes our characters stronger. Mixing these two foundations can make us understand that we can learn a lot about surviving school just by watching movies. It makes us realize that it is actually okay to be different, and that life does not end in school; it’s only the beginning.

From Cady Heron to Napoleon Dynamite, pick up lessons on how to make it in the high school jungle.

1. The Geek

Geeks can dance too. Napoleon Dynamite (Jon Heder) is a wallflower who concocts a plan to win over the class presidency for his friend by dancing to the audience’s delight. Dynamite embraced his individuality and found the strength to not care about what other people think. He effortlessly made geekdom cool.

2. The Social Climber

Never forget where you came from. Cady Heron (Lindsay Lohan) of Mean Girls used to be one of the average kids until she discovered that she could belong in “The Plastics” and dump her old friends. Cady soon realizes that this isn’t what she wants or needs and decides to return to her real friends who understands her for who she really is. She soon learns that sometimes, you don’t have to try too hard to be accepted.

3. The Extracurricular Overachiever

You can’t always get what you want. Max Fischer (Jason Schwartzman) of Rushmore is obssessed with being a part of school organizations. He sees it as a way to make up for his lack of academic greatness. When he gets involved in a love triangle, he discovers that he can actually be content just by making plays and going for the girl that truly understands him. He just needed to be himself, despite his limitations, to actually achieve success.

4. The Poets

Words can make a difference. The seven prep school boys of The Dead Poets Society realize that there’s life outside school norms and preconceived notions. Reading unconventional literature and having an eccentric teacher in John Keating (Robin Williams) give them an opportunity to speak up and realize that someone is actually willing to listen. 

5. The “It” Girl

It can get lonely at the top. Cher Horowitz (Alicia Silverstone) of Clueless was used to being the queen bee. After making over the next “it” girl, Tai, her good deed backfires when Tai steals the spotlight. She regains her reputation by admitting her real feelings, not imposing on others, and reaching out to the less fortunate. She realizes that through her influence, she can really make a happy difference.

6. The Stereotypes

We are more alike than we think. In The Breakfast Club, a geek, a jock, a weirdo, a popular girl, and a bad boy realize that they are not as different as they think after getting to know one another in detention. They discover that they all have bad relationships with their parents and that “the world is an imperfect place.” They then destroy pigeonholes and embrace their differences because despite their facades, they realize they all have battles at home.