23 Jan 2022
Overview
  • Look, I have five hours of driving up my sleeve. You best believe I'm tagged in every L plater meme. 'L is for Loser' haa haa haa... such humour 😤
  • Here is how I learned to embrace having to catch the bus everywhere 🚌

I was always someone who answered 'ye age old question, “have you got your P’s yet?”, with a casual, nonchalant comment about how I was “nah not worried, not in any rush”.

Oh how my feelings changed when even kids from the year below started to drive to school. It can seriously put you in your place to see that kid from Year 11 who you coached in netball last year drive off in their silver Toyota Corolla, while you stand in the cold, calling your mum for the fifth time to “please come pick me up!” 😵‍💫

It can be frazzling when you’ve got a full five hours down, and every man and his dog is seemingly disappointed in your lack of road experience. I felt fed up with the pushiness of my mates, their parents, and my family. I mean, it seems to be an Aussie rite of passage to be teased by your mates, who have no empathy for how terrifying the 80 km section of your local freeway can seem. 🥵

 

I mean, you're scoring a free (or extremely cheap) taxi service. So sit back, relax and enjoy it! 

Sure, taking the bus may be a form of slow travel, but it is the best people-watching opportunity ever. Ponder over what that lady has stuffed into her seven Woolies shopping bags, enjoy free music as the guy in the birks and overalls blasts Hockey Dad way too loud, listen to that girls' relationship troubles on the phone. Act out your own teenage drama movie by blocking out the world with your earphones and staring at the suburban scenes flashing past. 

The funniest moments happens when you take the bus with mates. Once, my friend and I trekked for an hour to the beach. By the time we headed back home, it was late at night and the bus was pretty much empty. I fell asleep lying on the back seat wrapped up in my damp towel, and at a particularly busing intersection rolled right off the edge. I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard in my life. Lucky you, you’ve now got stories to crack up everyone at your next house party.

On a more serious note, stay safe. Year 12 is a stressful year and driving has a hefty cost if something goes wrong. Take the bus to the library, and don’t let last night’s four hours of sleep worry you. 

So ignore your pestering mates, put on your favourite tunes and let the bus guide you on your next adventure!

Written By Emily Bilton