Is it important that I go to prom?

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My senior prom is coming up, and I'm not sure if I should go or not.

On one hand, when adults reflect on their high school experiences, senior prom always seems to be one of the first things they think of, so it must be pretty special. I don't want to miss out on something that great, especially since I actually know some people who might want to go with me, and I know I'm lucky to be able to say that. Senior prom only comes once, and I'm afraid that I'll later regret not going if I decide not to attend.

On the other hand, I haven't gone to any kind of dance since 7th grade, and that's because I had a bad experience with one. The girl I went with only did so because she felt sorry for me; I doubt she was actually attracted to me. When I tried to dance with her, I got embarrassed from dancing in front of all those other people, and I could only do it for about 3 seconds before I quit. I essentially left her to dance with her friends instead, all because I was selfish and couldn't suck it up for another person's sake. I'm afraid that something similar might happen if I go to prom.

I didn't bother going to my prom. My parents couldn't afford to buy a prom dress I'd only probably wear once. Also I was in the middle of bitchy friendship conflicts (not that I started any of it), and I didn't want them spoiling my time at the prom. There was a friend I could have gone with, but I was worried in case she suddenly might not turn up or something and then I'll have to go on my own. And, lastly, the prom night was on a school night, right in the middle of the week. So we had to do a whole day at school, rush home to get ready for the prom (and proms are events where you are obliged to look "perfect"), get home rather late that night, then get up again the next morning for school.

But that was my experience. I am not discouraging you. If you are still underage, it'd probably be your last ever social event where people don't go stupid with alcohol. In adulthood, most social events are based around drinking and getting drunk, and if you're like me who doesn't drink, it makes social events feel so boring.

I think proms are overrated and I wish I've never gone to mine. I got home early with my parents that night.

I didn't go because I didn't like my town or my stupid High School and wanted nothing to do with any event they're putting on.

I will not go to any High School reunion either.

Is it important to *you*? Can you envision yourself ten and twenty years from now, and imagine whether your memories of this event will be important to you then?

Is it important to *someone you care about*? Is there anyone at school who hopes you'll go with them? That includes friends who might like to hang out with you, not just dates.

I think what matters most is what *you* want, what *you* see as important now.

Full disclosure: I went to both of mine. The Junior prom was great fun, the Senior prom was in a crowded hot venue and my date and I left early and went to a restaurant instead. But the dance memory I treasure most was when I and my grad school classmates finished our very last exams - no more classes, no more tests, just research and teaching until we finished! And spontaneously went out and danced until the place closed. As a group of friends, no dates, just happy people.

Going to your prom is your decision and your decision only.

Let no one decide for you.

I think proms are stupid. I think that high school seniors should have high school be-ins instead. That way, everyone can wear whatever they want. Proms are too old-fashioned for me. I think a be-in would be a great way to exit high school. The senior be-in.

I never went to my prom, my mom wanted me to go with my brother-in-law I think she first said my dad can take me I didn’t care about going, I wasn’t popular, I was nobody in high school. I tried to make friends by wanting to join the yearbook, being a cheerleader, doing sports, joining a club, I did join one club, but I was invisible to the people. I was invisible in my senior yearbook, but I was in my senior class picture, we went to somewhere with a big water fountain, it was funny, a guy thought it would be funny to jump into the fountain.

It’s a personal decision whether it’s important to you or not.

IMO, since your first thought was that you may regret it, I think you should go. If I were you I’d rather go and maybe not like it hat much vs regret not going. Besides, you may just have a fantastic time! Since you haven’t gone to a school dance for years and this is pretty much the last one, and The one, I’d go and consider it a cultural immersion field trip experience of sorts.

FWIW, I went to mine with my best friend who’s girlfriend went to another school and was not allowed to attend. He and I and a male/female couple friends of ours all got dressed up and split a limo and went downtown for the dinner and dance. I didn’t dance but enjoyed the dinner and conversation, speeches and jokes etc. It was a good time. Meanwhile, my twin brother had less than zero interest in going and did not attend. I don’t think he regretted his decision, either.

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No for supporting trump. Because doing so is deplorable.

If you have people that you would enjoy celebrating the end of high school with then this is a great opportunity. If not, then it’s just a dance and you won’t regret missing out.

There were no proms back in my skool daze in the UK so it's difficult to answer.

I probably would of wanted to go but would of had a s**t night and wondered what all the hype was about

I never went to a dance & never regretted not going. I hated skewl & never went to any after skewl functions. I'm also a loner who didn't have any interest in romantic relationships at the time & I'm pretty sure no women would of been interested in me romantically due to how awkward & aloof I was. I would of went if I was in a relationship with someone or maybe if a girl asked me to go but that would of been it.

I'm NOT telling you what you should do OP. It's up to you to decide that yourself.

I'm amazed they didn't do away with proms in the 60s and 70s.

I'm glad my high school no longer organizes class reunions.