13 Ways School Was Different in the ’80s

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Ah, the ’80s—a time when life felt a bit simpler and school was a whole different world. I remember starting kindergarten in the late ’70s, and let me tell you, things were… unique. Naps were a norm, and I’m still not sure if that was awesome or just plain weird. Here are 13 ways school in the ’80s was unlike anything today.

1. Naptime: Kindergarten was a half-day affair, which meant we got to come home and catch our favorite cartoons. But let’s not forget, naps were still a thing. Teachers knew that keeping 20 kids engaged for four hours straight was impossible, so we had our cozy mats and mandatory snooze time.
2. Latchkey Kids: We strolled to and from school alone, proudly wearing our house keys around our necks. After school, it was all about Twinkies, TV, and chatting on the corded phone—homework was a distant thought that no one seemed to worry about.
3. Homework: The homework load was light—often just one page, and maybe two if you were feeling particularly ambitious. If math and writing collided on the same day? Tears were totally acceptable.
4. Hair and Hairspray: A bathroom full of girls wielding hair picks and canisters of bright-colored Aquanet was standard. Bigger hair meant bigger status, and cordless curling irons made their way into our backpacks, much to the chagrin of the administration. If you ended up with a burn? Well, that was just a part of life.
5. PE (Physical Education): Back then, PE was a battlefield. We threw dodgeballs at each other without a second thought. Remember playing Red Rover? That was all about survival of the fittest. And when it came to team sports, being chosen last was basically a rite of passage.
6. Hot Lunch: There was actual food served during lunch, cooked in a real kitchen by a lunch lady named Betty who wore a hairnet and an apron. And yes, there was dessert—bless the lunch ladies.
7. Cold Lunch: If you had a parent who made your lunch, you either brought it in a trendy metal lunchbox or a crinkly brown paper bag. Brown bags were a clear sign of financial struggles, while having a fancy lunchbox could elevate your social status.
8. Fashion Choices: You were either sporting Kmart items or you were not. There was no in-between, and if you wore anything from Kmart, you were part of the “Sad Jeans Club”—not a fun place to be.
9. Milk: Students could buy milk to go with their lunches. If you had a dime, you were fine, but if you didn’t, the blue card you carried was a clear indicator of your financial status.
10. Self-Esteem: Let’s be honest—no one was concerned about boosting your self-esteem. You either found it elsewhere or just rolled with it.
11. Curriculum: If you could write the entire alphabet by the end of kindergarten, you were basically a genius. IQ tests were almost guaranteed.
12. Playtime: We played marbles without fear of choking. Good old natural selection, right?
13. Discipline: Yes, corporal punishment was a thing. Visiting the principal was like walking the plank, and no one wanted that.

Even now, I still struggle with team sports, but isn’t that just the way it goes?

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In summary, school in the ’80s was a whirlwind of carefree antics, unique challenges, and a whole lot of nostalgia. From naptime to lunch ladies, the experience was a stark contrast to today’s education system.