With August just beginning, you might be getting ready to go back to school in your favorite, messiest place: your college town. If you are anything like me, you're mostly excited but probably a little bit anxious as well. So, here's the rundown of going back to school in college: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
The Good
I'll start with the obvious- your friends! From seeing each other (at least once) every day to three months apart? It's awful. You are over-the-moon to see your people again and to get into all kinds of fun trouble.
Football games. Regardless of your team's record, it is hard to beat dressing out in your school colors (PURPLE! GOLD!) and cheering them on. Grab your friends, find a tailgate, and get there hours before the game starts, at least, if you don't want to miss the real fun.
This one may be less obvious, but very true nonetheless: getting back into your routine. Whether you realize it consciously or not, you probably got a little lazy being at home over the summer, and going back to school makes it impossible not to break that habit. It is hard to beat the feeling of crossing items off of your to-do list.
The Bad
As much good fun as you are going to have to return to your college town, there's also the reality that you are going to miss all of the benefits of being home. I know I realize how much I've taken my mom's home cooking for granted once I get back to fending for myself.
"Wait so you mean all of those delicious, healthy meals don't make themselves?" -Me, trying to figure out how to cook for myself at school.
I'm also sure that missing your pet doesn't get any easier the longer you have to be away from them. There's nothing like being greeted by a smiling face and a wagging tail every time you walk in the door at home. But realizing they don't get to follow you to school is heartbreaking. Is it just me or is getting Snapchats of them just not the same?
The Ugly
Here's where it gets really real: going back to school is going to bring some challenges. Classes are tough. It's not easy to take 15-18 hours in a semester without having a few breakdowns. Assignments, readings, quizzes, tests, projects, and papers are hard to keep up with. Why aren't there more hours in the day, am I right?
The stress of trying to keep it all together (like you feel like you're supposed to) is definitely going to lead to some tears. It's not realistic to maintain that 4.0 GPA, a healthy social life, eight hours of sleep each night, a well-balanced diet, and a regular workout routine- I'm getting worn out just thinking of trying to do that.
College is hard.
But here's the good news…
Those friends I mentioned earlier, the ones you are just itching to get back to? They make the bad times good, and stick by your side through every time life rears its ugly head at you. You don't have to worry about keeping it all together, because they love you just the same when you don't, and don't worry, you'll be back home in no time for those hot meals and your furry friends.
So, that's the good, the bad, and the ugly of returning to your college town. Here's to real life and the real friends that make it easier to bare.
