Even as a senior in high school, I can still vividly recount my experiences of riding the big yellow bus to and from school each day.

At 6:30 a.m. I would wait in anticipation of seeing the bright luminescence of the bus’ lights as it traveled down the hill to my bus stop at the top of my street.

In the winter when the temperatures dropped below freezing, the quest to find the seat that rested atop the bus heater was a daily occurrence.

As temperatures climbed, opening the windows would cause a wind-sweeping inferno that would blow my hair right in my line of vision.

I can remember these moments like they happened yesterday. Actually, they did happen yesterday.

Even after obtaining my license last year, I still do not own a vehicle and drive to school. I still wake up to the not-so-calming serenade of my alarm clock at 5:45 a.m. to catch the bus 45 minutes later.

I can hear everyone’s gasps and know what you are thinking: how does she survive riding the bus?

Riding the bus is actually not the end of the world. It is just a part of my daily routine. Do you really expect me to trek 8.8 miles to and from school every day in lieu of enduring the “travesty” of riding the bus?

Riding the bus is free and a convenient mode of transportation. It was not so long ago that everyone had to ride the bus because the only vehicles they were allowed to drive were those in the virtual world via Grand Theft Auto.

Since when does one’s primary mode of transportation carry weight on one’s status? I cannot even fathom how one’s transportation has come under scrutiny by his or her peers and can affect their position on the high school totem pole.

Apparently, I am at the bottom. But, what does riding the bus really say about me, other than I do not own a car? I like free transportation. I do not spend money on gas. I help the environment. Those are all pretty good reasons to ride the bus.

While I have never been directly referred to as a “loser” for my mode of transportation, I hear it all the time that riding the bus is no longer acceptable once we pass Behind the Wheel and obtain our licenses. Meeting or falling short of one standard does not, and should not, define you.

Our society has created these standards that teenagers feel obligated to meet in order to fit in. Driving a car to school is one of them. While it is a great freedom that we have, it is a privilege, not a requirement.

This is not an attempt to recruit upperclassmen to ride the bus. In fact, I encourage you to continue on the road you have taken.

I’ll stick with the road, or mode of transportation, less traveled. No one should feel it is necessary give up their parking passes to join me. I like having the bus seat to myself.