1. You have way too many photos on your phone

Suddenly you have 14,000 photos from mountain hikes, dorm nights, concerts, and field trips. It's impossible to sort through them, and you'll probably have to buy a larger iCloud subscription.

2. The teachers are annoyingly committed

They join in activities, help you outside of class, and care about how you actually feel. Very little "here's the syllabus, good luck."

3. You don't get any grades to hide behind

There are no exams at all. Suddenly you actually have to learn things because you want to, not because you have to. How are you supposed to get confirmation that you're a good girl then? Uncomfortable concept.

4. You are given too many choices

Over 30 electives mean you suddenly have to choose between creative projects, sports, music, outdoor activities, and weird activities you didn't know existed. It would have been easier with double math.

5. You get an unnatural number of inside jokes

After a few months, there's a big risk that you'll laugh at things that no one outside of school understands.

6. Too many people ask if you should join in on things

What if you vile Sitting alone without friends and bored!?

7. You have a completely unrealistic view of how much fun you can do in a week.

Life after folk high school can quickly become a bit boring in some respects. It's best to study and get a job as soon as possible...

8. There is room cleaning twice a week

Even if you feel most comfortable with a messy and unhygienic room.

9. School only lasts one year!

…and many are really sad when they quit. (Yes, it's possible to become a second-year student. But still…)

10. It's tiring to become a better version of yourself

…and everyone knows that tiring = dangerous…

11. You risk finding new interests and hobbies

Who has time to develop photos in a darkroom or spend the night in a hammock?

12. You get too many "main character moments"

Sunset in Lofoten, train through Europe, nighttime chats at the boarding school and people playing guitar in the background. Absolutely unbearably cinematic.

13. You are being manipulated into being social

You leave the room to get water and end up at movie night with 17 people.

14. Afterwards, you will recommend folk high school to absolutely everyone

Imagine if you become someone who says, "Popular college was the best year of my life."

15. It's a real winter in Elverum. With snow!?

Marius Bergan

It's so unnatural that the snow stays there long enough for you to ski and snowboard, go cross-country skiing, sled, and have snowball fights.

16. You are tricked into thinking that all schools should be like this

Spoiler: They're not.

17. You suddenly have people from all over the country (and abroad!) entering your life.

And yes, some of them will try to teach you their dialect. And who wants friends from the Netherlands, Germany, the USA, Australia or Japan?

If you are still interested in applying, you can do so here…