Should I go to prom?

[okamigirl64]

This is a REALLY off topic question, but prom at my school is coming up soon and I'm debating whether to go or not…. I don't really want to go, since I'm really introverted and don't like to dance in front of so many people, but I'm afraid I will regret not going in the future. I have friends that are going, but usually previous times I went to a school dance I end up just sitting my myself alone while everyone dances.  I'm in 11th grade, so I still have senior year prom (which I will probably be going to), but I didn't know if anyone here regretted not going to a school dance or whatever. Feedback would be great! 

[doxiechic16]

I feel like going to prom could definitely go either way and your decision to go is totally your own.  It's hard to say how you'll feel about it after the fact or years down the road.

I know that some people that I went to high school with really loved prom and really had a great time, but I wasn't one of them.  I went with dates (gay guy friends who were nice enough to escort me for the sake of appearances in our small town) both years and honestly felt like I would have had more fun and saved a lot of money doing something else.  I probably wouldn't have gone if my best friend at the time hadn't pressured me into it; she wanted me there, but more or less left me hanging while she hung out with her dates/romantic interests. She did this to me junior AND senior year, so clearly I didn't learn from past mistakes. 

Again, the decision to go is totally up to you.  You might have a great time, but don't let other people pressure you into going if you really don't want to.

[rayedelsol]

I did not go to my junior prom for personal reasons, but did go to my senior prom. I regret not going to junior prom. I had different reasons than you, so don't take it just at face value

[rosierjay]

ok. so i was your typical social outcast in high school, and i ended going to both of my proms and didn't regret a single minute. true i didn't dance with anyone, and i was the only one at my senior prom without an escort, but i had a blast. (asked over 7 guys out... all said no. >.< ) not because of what was really happening or even who i was with, i just thought to myself. this is my chance to make a memory, and i'm not letting anyone else ruin it for me.

(by the way in high school i was a total introvert. really came out of my shell in college)

so i say go, and have a great time, make a memory. even if everything doesn't go well. something you can tell to others when you're older.

[kaoskat]

Well, the ONLY school dance I ever went to was senior prom and I only went because everyone said "you'll regret it if you don't". It was boring, too crowded (I loathe crowds so it doesn't have take much to be too crowded for me), and the whole time I just wished I'd stayed home and watched TV or something. If you don't like school dances anyway chances are you won't regret not going one bit. The only catch is, you might regret it only because everyone says you will and you'll spend your whole life thinking you did miss something when really you probably didn't.

[tinyblondie]

In England our proms are way more relaxed but I figured I'd tell you what I decided to do at my prom as I was in a very similar situation. I dont have many friends (this doesn't bother me, I greatly prefer it actually) and I dont enjoy going out and seeing lots of people, parties are hellish for me. I originally decided not to go but in the end I went, but I didn't make a big deal out of it! I was only there for an hour or so, enough time to say hello to a few people and see all the 'awards' being won (I think these awards are silly really and the same group of popular friends won all the awards between them anyways ) and then listen to our headteachers speech. I didn't bother with the actual party/dance part, I went out for a meal with my mama instead.

My dress cost about £30 and I used an old makeup bag as a clutch. The jewelery I wore were things I already owned and I finished it all off with a pair of Doc Martins (and 3 pairs of socks  as they were a size and a half to big for me haha). I loved my outfit and I didn't spent a tonne of money on it either, I found that helped me from worrying too much as I hadn't wasted cash on something I wasn't going to fully enjoy. Its nice to go cause then you dont regret not going but if you aren't sure just make sure not to make a big deal out of it and spend loads of money and such. Also its really fun to see everyone in nice outfits and such.

Sorry for the longish post, just though I'd tell you what I did. In short, I think you should go just dont stress yourself out over it too much 

[okamigirl64]

The only catch is, you might regret it only because everyone says you will and you'll spend your whole life thinking you did miss something when really you probably didn't.

This is probably my biggest fear… I'm still unsure if I'm going, but I think in the end I might just go just to say I went. If I'm there and I'm not enjoying it I will probably break out the good ol' 3DS and play a few games.   

Thanks everyone for the advice/stories (That's why I love this forum)! If anyone else has anymore I would love to hear it! 

[kaoskat]

Well, you can always go and check it out. You don't have to stay if it's dull.

[Brightglowpony]

I faced the same predicament when I was in high school, but I can tell you I chose not to go to prom and I have ZERO regrets   I was never into getting dressed up or dancing, and was always more of a tomboy.  What I did instead was plan something fun that I knew I would enjoy- I visited some friends in the country and I went bareback riding and 4-wheeling in the woods.  The best part of it was we had so much fun and it did not cost anything, and to this day, it still one of my most memorable nights  

I say do what your gut is telling you to do- for some people, prom is a night not to be missed, and then there are others who would rather do other things.  And there is nothing wrong with either of those decisions.   I had a good many people tell me I would regret not going to prom, and that was years ago now, and I still have no regrets with my decision.  If you choose not to go, maybe you can do like I did and plan something fun that you know you will enjoy and remember.   

[elvenwine26]

It's expensive and overrated, as are most "important" high school functions really.

[True]

Well you kinda sound similar to me. I'm very shy and I dont dance..

I also went to an alternative High school, which meant we couldnt aford our own school prom, so we were invited to one of the other big high school proms. I went in 11th grade because a lot of friends were going, even though I didnt have a date who lived close, but I still had a decent time. I didnt spend a lot of money on a dress or anything, just wore something sort of simple and formal.

My senior prom was different, it was still the same set up, with the other HS prom. But my boyfriend had actually moved in with me that year so I was able to bring him with, I did the whole works, got a real dress, my hair done, he rented a suit, got me flowers, etc. It was way more special then my 11th grade prom lol. I think even if I hadnt had a date again that year it still would have been special just knowing that it would be one of the last things id do as a group with very close friends.

Basically im saying, if youre not feeling it this year, id wait. Prom can be super expensive and personally I dont want to spend money on something like that if im not going to have positive memory's about it. In the end it depends on how these things rate in your own mind. For me, formal dances are not very high lol, I never went to any of the jr high dances unless other friends dragged me along, and I never regretted not going to those, I also dont think id have regretted not going to my junior prom if I had decided to skip that.

[Mad-March]

The only school dance I ever went to my life was my senior prom, and I don't regret never going to any others. At that point I had close enough friends that I knew wouldn't ditch me if I wanted to just sit at a table and chill for a while. It's definitely more fun to go to any event with close friends, if you don't think you'll enjoy yourself there's not much of a reason to go.

Also my prom had a chocolate fountain. So it was totally worth it. See if yours will have a chocolate fountain.

[Oneleo1]

I'd go just to check it out and if it sucks, well then call it an early night and go watch TV

[Aitsuki]

I went to my Junior Prom, but I had a boyfriend... plus, my school was so small, it was more like a huge party with lots of 80's, geek, and techno dancing. It's up to you. Prom is supposed to be fun.

[Tulips]

The only catch is, you might regret it only because everyone says you will and you'll spend your whole life thinking you did miss something when really you probably didn't.

This is probably my biggest fear… I'm still unsure if I'm going, but I think in the end I might just go just to say I went. If I'm there and I'm not enjoying it I will probably break out the good ol' 3DS and play a few games.   

Thanks everyone for the advice/stories (That's why I love this forum)! If anyone else has anymore I would love to hear it! 

Bringing a 3DS just in case sounds like a plan. 

I don't really know what American Proms are like, I don't trust that it's really like the TV versions I've seen, but I very nearly didn't bother going to my Formal because all my closest friends had dropped out and I was over the highschool experience. I'm glad I did go because it ended up being a pretty fun night, not my idea of the best night ever but worth it in the end. I wore a dress and makeup (and endured the sarcastic gasps from my friends), enjoyed the meal, had a good chuckle at the speeches by my peers, danced a little, and mingled with others around the piano someone had commandeered. I have a photo stored away of myself with the group I hung out with (haven't spoken to any of them in years lol) and have some sort-of fond memories from the night.

I did however completely reject Schoolies and instead hit the beach with my closest friends the week after when it was quiet. I don't regret that at all and had a great time celebrating my graduation!

I'd say it's fair to give your Prom a chance and if it's a dud there's no harm in leaving. Or don't bother going at all, celebrate however you like with the people who really matter!

Highschool is a bit like a bubble of reality before you enter the real world, stuff my seem important now but in a few years there's no regrets about what you did or didn't do.