The best part about leaving high school to me was that you could stop associating with all of the people that you don't want to bother with. (hope that made sense)
Unfortunately, drama will follow you wherever you go, because there will always be those people who thrive on it and use it to define themselves in some way. It's all about finding the people you enjoy being around and holding on to them
I graduated in 07 and the only thing I miss about it is playing basketball. I've stayed in touch with the people that matter to me, the rest I couldn't care less about.
My opinion is that the people who really look forward to high school are the people who view that as their "glory days", and like to relive it. Don't mean to offend anyone, it's just my two cents.