Back to School Shopping Spree
by Warren Chia

As is the tradition of every year around this time – late August/early September – everyone is caught up in the annual back to school shopping spree. Not only does this refer to pencils, books, notebooks, and all those school necessities, it also means a new wardrobe, accessories, and other things to impress others and to make a statement that you're prepared to learn, and to show off. For high school students though, it is extremely important, because your new look makes a statement about yourself to your peers. Items that can enhance this new look are probably more frill than the actually necessary items for the new school year.

example of a back to high school shopping spree:
1. new shoes : $70 - $130
2. new backpack : $20 - $60
3. new stock of pants : $40 - $60 each
4. more T's, shirts, sweaters, etc. (tops) : $10 - very expensive each
5. jewelry : bootleg cheap - authentically costly
6. sports apparel : $10 - $50 each article
7. new hairdo : self-inflicted – pretty expensive salon works
8. books, pencils, notebook, other "necessities" : whatever little money you have left

The financial layout of this shopping spree shows how much this new look actually means to the high school student. All this is obviously not necessary, but makes us feel "accepted" into new styles. It does not directly help us learn any better or faster, but it makes us feel better about ourselves, which may, slightly, or may not affect our education.

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