Well, since I was in high school years ago and have experience in both areas, i'd have to say high school was MUCH easier.
In fact, I didnt know this forum existed in high school (i'm sure it did) nor did I ever hear AFC, DHV, DA, or anything of the like.
Now for me, it was all a social deal, and where I went, I was there since kindergarten, so I knew almost everyone as I got older.
In high school, I prob had 4 girlfriends out of all 4yrs. What did I do? I cant say cause I dont remember. It just pretty much happened. I was around girls in band quite a bit, and most mine came from there. Drummers always hooked up with girls
Personally after I left school, and went to college, I found it probably harder because I was never exposed to really picking up girls. It always fell in my lap. And in college, I never try real hard to pick up on them in class either.
I think that difference was associated with I was around people for 7hrs in high school, and then 50min in college. I saw people 5 days a week, and had some in 3 classes, or saw them at football games, basketball games, etc etc.
I dont think you cant say high school is not real life, cause it still is, and trying to classify real life is hard cause its different for many people.
To me its more... The difference between high school, college, and after college. You can also toss age in there too. Picking up a 18yr old vs a 30yr old is going to be different.
I personally didnt take away anything to take with me after high school cause I never knew about any of this. Is it a bad thing? Who knows. Maybe knowing some of it earlier would have helped, but I wouldn't dare use what I use to pick up a younger woman on an older one.
I never thought about battling it out with other guys, or competing in high school. I never though about how cool I had to be, or what I had to say, or if I should touch or not.
Though i've learned a lot on here, and in life, I dont think that if I went back in time to high school, I would take all i've learned here, because again for me it was way different.
Now I am at the point where I am not around college anymore, and will be venturing in the real world. I've never been a club person, and never met a woman in a club. All of my girls have come from friends, church, or at school. The club setting would be new for me.
So to answer your question, I didnt go by anyone, but me. What you speak of, I never knew in high school.