I sometimes feel a little envious of those who had a good school experience because, despite having momentary good aspects, it was generally a negative thing. Sure, I learned some lessons but they were difficult lessons for a little kid to have to learn. Anyway, fuck it, I turned out ok.
Like you, I didn't respond well to being conditioned and felt it best to forge my own way forward as best I could; part of that was finding the right people to motivate and inspire me.
Sometimes I hear many people say... how I would love to go back to my school days... and although I learned a lot, it was so painful that I say I don't want to go back! We learned and made a beautiful life, that's what matters. The good thing is that after that came good people with whom to share.
Yep, time and life only travels in one direction (and at the end is death) so it makes more sense not to dwell or revisit things like that I guess...I believe we should use those things as motivation to lead a better present and future life. Don't you?