So, it is September. Yes, folks, SEPTEMBER. Being totally honest here, I remember it being July 31st, happily going to bed, and suddenly waking up to it being September. Where did you go, sweet August?
The beginning of September means it is time for us college students to buckle down, get out of our summer mindset, and into the mindset of a focused and determined college student ready to ace any homework assignment, quiz, or exam placed in front of us. But how, may you ask, do we achieve this drastic change?
You grieve this inevitable end.
Yes, you must mourn. Take the time to look back on your wonderful summer adventures--where did you go? Who did you meet? What did you do? Reflect on them, cherish them, and print out photos to never forget those memories! You may shed a tear or two, or none (everyone is different). As a grieving person, you will go through the five step process: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and lastly Acceptance. Once you have accepted the loss of a great summertime, it is now time to accept your present state at the moment: being a college student.
Phase 1: DENIAL
We go through denial.
"I don't believe summer is over. It isn't over yet."
"School cannot be starting already, I don't believe it, you're lying."
Lets face it, denial is inevitable. How can an amazing few months be over soon? A feeling of desperation comes over you, and you attempt to invent a time travel machine which could possibly take you back to the beginning of summer so you don't have to face the fact that yes, summer is OVER.
Phase 2: ANGER
Next, the anger hits. You start lashing out at your family, your friends, or glare at an innocent stranger you encounter at the IKEA whilst buying furniture for your apartment. You may encounter a need to blame someone else for the end of summer, or maybe angry with the school board, yourself, or your parents for making you return to school instead of experiencing summer forever.
You can't help it, you are grieving!
Phase 3: BARGAINING
So you finally overcame your anger, but it has morphed into bargaining...
"If only summer could last forever."
"If only I could stay here forever."
"If only school didn't exist."
"If only, if only, if only,.." You attempt to postpone the inevitable: school and the accompanying pain of reality.
Phase 4: DEPRESSION
And then, depression hits.
You have reached your lowest point in the grieving process: Phase 4. You are too sad to do anything like pack up your clothes and furniture, say good-bye to your hometown friends and your family, and drive back to school. This is the phase where you may lay in bed and listen to your favorite songs from the summer, look at your videos and photographs from your crazy and fun adventures, or contemplate why this is happening to you.
"Why me?"
You may shed a tear or two, or maybe none...we all give differently.
You may experience profound sadness, a feeling of emptiness, yearning, or loneliness.
Phase 5: ACCEPTANCE
Finally, the light at the end of the tunnel: Phase 5.
Acceptance.
You have accepted the fact that Summer 2018 has ended, and all that you have experienced will live on forever as memories you will never forget. Now that you have fully accepted the end, it is time to move on and face what lies before you: a new year of college filled with endless possibilities, people, course assignments, and life!!!
So, get out your music, play September by Earth, Wind, and Fire because...
IT'S TIME TO COLLEGE!
