Ah, spring semester. What used to seem so far away is upon us once again. It's safe to say I'm not the only one who isn't exactly thrilled about starting school again. While it is a new year and a great season of rediscovery, that doesn't exactly translate to getting excited about homework and tests- again. There are many emotions involved. I've highlighted some of them for you. It's a little bit like the five stages of grief, plus a bit of a kindergarten feelings chart.
1. Shock.
Recommended for you
Once Christmas and New Year's are over, the weight of the upcoming new semester hits you like a ton of bricks. In the teeth.
2. Bargaining.
You want more time off. You need more time off. You'd do anything for more time off.
3. Grief.
You are devastated that your downtime is almost over. It feels like you've experienced a loss. A wake or funeral for your lost break almost feels appropriate. In lieu of flowers, ask guests to please send donations toward your tuition bill.
4. Shame.
While your friends all have exciting stories of their holiday escapades, you're more than a little ashamed that your biggest accomplishment from winter break is watching 17 episodes of your favorite show on Netflix in one day.
5. Excitement.
Not all of the emotions associated with going back to school have to be bad. While you may not be excited for more studying and tests, you are probably looking forward to seeing your friends from school. Which is awesome, that's what the college experience is all about.
6. Denial.
It isn't just a river in Africa (insert laugh track here). You know that the new semester is looming, getting closer and closer, but you just don't care. You hope that by just ignoring it, you'll be spared from the roller coaster of emotions included in this list.
7. Anxiety.
How much money do I owe? When do I have to get up to make it to classes? Where are my classes? How many body parts do I need to sell to buy books this semester? So many questions. So much anxiety.
8. Dread.
Plain and simple: many of us dread going back to school. It's completely irrational. Once we're back on campus it feels like we never left. It's the anticipation that kills us. After all, who wants to leave home and say goodbye to your parents, family and most of all, pets. I especially dread saying goodbye to my cat. And my mom too, I guess. Mostly my cat.
9. Determined.
Again, not all of these emotions have to be negative. Maybe you didn't do as well in your classes in the fall as you had hoped and want to do better. Or, maybe you are super committed to your new year's resolution and will do anything to improve yourself. Now is the perfect time to set your eye on those goals.
10. Rejuvenated.
A new semester is the perfect time for a fresh start. We're rested and ready to turn over a new leaf. That's the best case scenario, anyway.
11. Nostalgic.
As many of us grudgingly leave our childhood homes once again to return to college and pretend we're adults who have their lives together, we often long for simpler times. We wish we could go back to when we didn't have to worry about credit hours and graduation requirements. Before we had nightmares about not being able to pay back our student loans and ending up in student loan jail (Is that a real thing? Asking for a friend.), life was so easy and peaceful. All we had to worry about was whether or not our PB&J's had crust or not. Please, let me go back.
