Prom is often seen and talked about as the highlight of high school, filled with excitement and big expectations. From fancy dresses, promenade, to pretty pictures: prom promises a night to remember. The event is marketed as a life milestone, and for years, students dream of the day it will be their turn to attend. 

But is prom really the magical experience everyone makes it out to be, or is it overhyped? 

Many students grow up looking forward to prom, watching underclassmen showcase their dresses, and all the excitement that comes along with it; however, for many, the reality does not live up to the hype. Last year’s prom, specifically, left many students questioning whether all the build up was worth it. 

Finding a Dress and a Date:

One of the most common stressors before prom is finding the perfect dress, a process that can be enjoyable for some, but very overwhelming and frustrating for others. Senior Morgan Trout shared that “finding a dress [is the most stressful part], there are so many different parts to think about: color, size and how it fits you, pattern, sparkles, slit, or no slit.” 

Many students shared similar opinions to her. Junior, Regan Breen, explained that, “Buying your dress is very stressful because what if you don’t like any of the ones you tried on? You end up picking the one you hated the least and still not liking it.”

In addition to choosing a dress, finding a date can add a lot of pressure. Students often feel rushed to make a decision as soon as prom season begins and tickets go on sale, sometimes leading to drama and other issues. For some, this results in more anxiety than excitement. 

Prom Tickets: 

The stress continues when it comes to purchasing tickets. Several students mentioned that buying tick

ets can be stressful, with deadlines that require students to have a date already in place. A junior shared that she, and many of her friends, “are stressed by the fact that [they] have to know and plan our dates before tickets go on sale.” 

Additionally, the cost of tickets have raised concerns for many students. At approximately $80 a ticket, many question if it’s truly worth it given the experience they walk away with. 

Students understand the need to cover the costs of venues and transportation, but they still feel that the experience doesn’t live up to the price tag. 

The Day of: (appointments, school, promenade)

Another common issue many students, specifically girls, face is the day of prom. From hair appointments to pictures, students often find themselves rushing to fit everything in. Senior Ava Greenbaum described the chaos of the day: “We have to go to school until 11:10 on the day of prom. Then everyone rushes to appointments, getting ready, photos, promenade, prom, and anything done afterward. It’s always super loaded, but it’s super enjoyable in the end.” 

However, for some students, the packed schedule results in a stressful day that doesn’t leave much time to enjoy the day and event. 

Adding to the stress is the requirement to show up at school early for promenade and endure breathalyzing testing before entering the buses and venue. 

While these restrictions were put into place for a reason, some students voiced that it makes the event feel more like a school activity, rather than a celebration. 

The Prom Experience:

Once students arrive and prom begins, the first 30 minutes are often spent waiting for the other buses to arrive. After this, students are released by table to enter the buffet line. After getting food and eating, students must wait to be released from their tables. 

Eventually, students are allowed to take pictures, grab dessert, or hop on the dance floor. 

Additionally, the venue itself can sometimes add to the frustration. Last year, many students reported that the bathrooms, specifically the women’s, were overcrowded, and felt that essential items such as dress pins, first aid kits, and phone chargers were overlooked by the school and event planners. “There was no order to the bathroom chaos, and there wasn’t much available for students who may have needed it,” one student shared. 

Conclusion:

While prom can provide great memories, for many, the stress of preparing for the night and the logistics of the day makes it feel overhyped. The expectation that prom is a major life event clashes with the reality of a stressful day and expensive night, often leaving students feeling disappointed. 

For others, prom remains a highlight of high school- a final opportunity to come together as upperclassmen on the seniors’ last day of high school. Greenbaum, who enjoyed prom last year, said, “Yes, it’s super expensive, but it was definitely worth a go. It’s one of the last times you’ll be together with your whole class at a super fun event.” 

In the end, whether you believe prom is enjoyable, or not, it is important to recognize and be grateful for the hard work and effort staff and students have put into making the night as special as possible.