An Australian phenomenon in the teen years: My passion for the 1990s TV series Heartbreak High, which has stayed with me into adult life
It's interesting how some memories never disappear – they don't just remain in our minds, they live on inside us. For me, one such memory is the TV screen glowing in the corner of our living room in the mid-1990s, the sun setting behind the window and my school bag thrown by the door.
I was 10 years old, sitting cross-legged on the carpet, remote control in hand, waiting for the familiar theme song of the series Heartbreak High.
And then it came – that powerful theme song, flashes of graffiti, a whirlwind of energy that told me I was about to enter another world. Not just any world – their world. A world where school wasn't just a place to learn algebra. It was a living, breathing entity, full of drama, laughter, broken hearts, and friendships that made you believe you could survive anything.
From the first episode I saw, I felt like I was part of this big, chaotic, amazing family. The students at Hartley High weren't perfect, and that's what made them real. They had big dreams and big problems, but they always had each other's backs. Watching them, I felt like the world — my world — could be bigger, brighter, and more exciting than I could ever imagine.
First love in the sunshine of the 90s
I didn't know it at the time, but Heartbreak High taught me about love long before I experienced it myself. Of course, I had a few favorite couples that I was rooting for. Drazic and Anita, with their clash of rebellion and tenderness, showed me for the first time how love can be passionate and safe at the same time. They argued and teased each other, but they also understood each other like no one else. Nick and Jodie, on the other hand, carried the gentle pain of young love — the dreams you build together and the bittersweet truth that life sometimes pulls you in different directions.
At ten years old, I sat there quietly and learned: love can be messy, but the moments it gives you are worth holding onto forever.
The community that was my home
What really stuck with me wasn't just the romance — it was the way the characters valued friendship and community. One day they could be arguing like siblings, and the next they would be fiercely defending each other. They were grateful for what they had, even if it wasn't much. And they didn't just look out for themselves — they cared about making their little corner of the world a better place.
For a kid like me, who was still trying to understand what friendship and loyalty meant, it was like a gift from heaven. I watched, learned, and tried to bring that same spirit into my own life.
The actors who brought it to life
Looking back, I'm still in awe of the actors. They didn't just play roles – they embodied them so perfectly that you felt like you were watching real children living real lives. Even today, I want to thank them for the unique energy they brought to the show. They didn't just recite their lines, they created characters we saw as friends we could laugh, cry, and grow with.
The aesthetics of the 90s: Lessons in identity
And, of course, the fashion. Worn-out Doc Martens from long walks home. Oversized flannel shirts thrown over band T-shirts. Chokers, cargo pants, messy hair that somehow looked perfect. It wasn't just a style—it was a statement. Watching Heartbreak High taught me that the way you present yourself is another way of telling your story.
Still with me
Years later, when I think back on my teenage years, Heartbreak High is an integral part of it. It was more than just entertainment; it was a compass. It showed me that loyalty matters, that love can change you, and that finding your people is one of the most beautiful things in life.
Some TV shows disappear. Heartbreak High doesn't. It's become part of who I am. And I'll carry it with me forever — like a secret salute to my younger self, still sitting cross-legged on the carpet, waiting for the theme song to start.
Who else was part of watching these TV series phenomena during their school years? Do you have a favorite series that makes you smile nostalgically when you hear the familiar theme song?
Share your memories in the comments...
