I would like to dedicate a post to describing possibly the only thing that I don't like about Afyon: the idiotic rules that exist in my school.

Every student in Türkiye has to wear a uniform to school, starting from when they are in the first grade until they graduate. The uniform isn't what bugs me (I like not having to worry about what I am going to wear every day) it's the other rules that are implemented in addition to the uniform, so that the school can completely decide your appearance for you.

Students are not allowed to wear jewelry, make up, clothes that are not part of the uniform (such as sweaters, but everyone wears them anyway), bright colored socks, or shoes that are not black. And the most important rule of all: no long hair is allowed. If it is long, it had better be in a ponytail or bun or braids, and if you are caught with your hair not tied back, that is grounds for the principal to threaten to cut it for you.

Everyday before school, we line up in the courtyard and then we file into school in nice, straight lines. While we are walking inside, the teachers do a "control", which means that they try to find something wrong with what you are wearing, so they can pull you out of line, make you wait for everyone else to go inside, and then yell at you about why what you are wearing is "inappropriate".

Last Monday, the control was very exciting. It was decided that all of the boys in my class, and half of the rest of boys in the 10th grade, had hair that was too long. So, they were all sent home to get their hair cut. They weren't told to do it after school or anything, they had to do it that instant. So, they all left, and came back after lunch, with brand new really short hair cuts.

Isn't it weird that my school would rather have students miss classes to get hair cuts, instead of just letting them stay and telling them to get their hair cut after school?

So, to all my American high school readers, next time any of you complain that your high school's rules are too strict, try experiencing a Turkish high school's rules instead.