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The Emotional Rollercoaster Of Studying Abroad

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Oct 13, 2015

Dickinson College

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The Emotional Rollercoaster Of Studying Abroad

mtaloy.edu

You're having the time of your life and thinking about how lucky you are to be in X place with Y and Z people when suddenly, a dark thought inches its way into your happy bubble. You're about halfway through your semester abroad. *Cue the infamous Jaws music* You're halfway through your wonderful break from reality?! How did this happen?! Where did all the time go?! Well here's a list compiling some of the major signs that you've hit the halfway mark on your abroad "study" (in that order).

1. You realize that you've actually seen a lot of the things you've been planning to see for months -- if not years.

Your dreams become reality on a daily basis.

2. You start to become really clever when it comes to finding the cheapest options to continue having fun.

Let's be honest, that student discount has saved you many times already... on that note...

3. This is your reaction when you look at your bank account.

Whoops.

4. You realize how hard it is to motivate yourself academically anymore.

That's you every time you try and start an assignment...

5. You start to wonder why every major monument has to have 1,000 stairs.

Why couldn't these medieval people have invented elevators yet? Didn't they know how high my cholesterol would be now?!

6. You have to get a running start to fit into the clothes that fit you fine two months ago.

7. It starts to hit you that people back at your home college are actually continuing their lives like normal -- even though you've been gone forever.

How dare they?!

8. You start feeling like a local wherever you're studying -- even if no one else sees you that way.

9. You start judging tourists -- and your abroad friends start saying things like, "I just don't want to do the touristy things."

We are all tourists.

10. You start to pick up all the trends in whichever country you're staying in... Example: On the metro in Denmark like:

Small talk is not a thing.

11. You start to feel a little homesick but also have so much anxiety about leaving the amazing place you call home now.

I don't understand how I feel.

12. You remind yourself to stay in the moment and just soak it all in, because you're experiencing something life-changing and awesome.

Can I stay abroad for the rest of my life?

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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The Emotional Rollercoaster Of Studying Abroad

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

The ultimate list and gif guide to a college student's brain during finals.

What does the world outside the library look like?

Can I read this entire book tonight?

I should have gone to class more often.

Did the professor even teach this?

What is the lowest grade I can get on this exam and still pass the class?

Should I just drop out of school now?

Finals are ruining Christmas.

Just wrote three sentences so time for a break.

Need. More. Coffee.

What is sleep?

I'm too stupid for college.

Brain hurts.

Time for a Facebook Break.

I think I'm dying.

When will I ever need this information in the real world?

I can't read any of my notes.

I need my mom.

When was the last time I showered?

I need study snacks.

The struggle is so real right now.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

27. When you get assigned the most incompetent group of people possible for a group project.

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