There’s something about going to high school in a small town that stays with you as you get older. Whether you had a positive experience or a negative one, you’ll always remember your classmates (because there weren’t many of them) and those years will always feel nostalgic to you. If you went to a small high school in Montana, you can probably relate to these 11 things.

1. The last day of school was basically optional.
David Schott / Flickr
If you went, you didn’t do much… so most people just skipped it and headed to Dairy Queen or whatever the local go-to spot was. And if you were a senior, you probably didn’t do much the entire last week of school.
2. You not only knew everyone in your class, but you knew most of their parents by name.
Homini:) / Flickr
For the most part, these were people that you’d known since kindergarten. You probably knew where most of them lived, too.
3. Everyone knew everything about you. Gossip spread like wildfire.
micagoto / Flickr
It’s not that people in small towns are malicious, it’s just that word gets around quickly when there aren’t many of you. If you had a secret, you knew to keep it to yourself… or else.
4. Snow days were rare, but so, so appreciated.
Frank Smith / Flickr
It’s not easy to get a snow day at a Montana high school. Everyone knows how to drive in the snow, and if you can shovel your way out of your house, you’re expected to show up. But when you did get the occasional day off due to inclement weather, you had a blast.
5. Before there were bars, there were bonfires and barn parties.
Ian Carroll / Flickr
Remember gathering around a bonfire with your friends and talking about nothing and everything? Hopefully you still get to do that on occasion, but in small town Montana, it’s how high school kids pass the time.

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6. Missing class to go hunting or fishing was common… and sometimes acceptable.
Troy Smith / Flickr
Depending on the teachers you had, you may have gotten a pass, especially if you brought them some deer sausage or fish.
7. Getting a new kid was both rare and exciting.
Marina Lobanova / Flickr
Who is he? Where is he from? What is he like? So many questions, so little time.
8. You couldn’t hide anything from your parents in your small town for long. If you skipped school and they didn’t find out, it was a miracle.
DLSimaging / Flickr
And forget trying to sneak in after curfew. Your friends’ moms had probably already ratted you out.
9. Homecoming week was a huge deal.
Jim Handcock / Flickr
The game, the school activities, the dance… you looked forward to it forever.
10. Dating was interesting, if it happened.
Lizzie Phillips / Flickr
Did you once date your best friend’s older brother’s best friend who had already dated your cousin a couple of years before? Or perhaps you avoided dating entirely because of the small pool of possibilities.
11. You made friends you’re keeping for life.
justine-reyes / Flickr
You’ve probably lost touch with some of your classmates even if you still live in your hometown. But going to a small school with someone results in a shared experience and a bond like no other, so the odds are good that you’re still friends with your BFF from back then.

Did you go to a small high school in Montana? What was your favorite part of the experience?

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