Everyone always talks about going away for your freshman year of college, but going back for your sophomore year is not a huge topic of discussion. But why is that? You have a year under your belt away from home and (kind of) living on your own. You lived in a dorm with your roommate, ate semi-edible food for two whole semesters, and got to go back home at the end of April on a high that you had just completed your first year of college!
But what about leaving again in the beginning of August? You still go through all the same emotions as the first time. You get so used to living in your room at home, having your mom do all of your laundry, and having a meal waiting for you three times a day without having to ask. Once the end of July rolls around you realize you actually have to go shopping for college stuff again. You have to figure out between your roommates who is bringing what, much like you did in a dorm, but this time for your entire apartment. Are these curtains up to everybody's liking? Do we want pink or teal tongs? What scented candle is best for our living room? Which decorative pillows and throw blanket will look the best against our couches? So many decisions are to be made.
You still have to say goodbye to all your hometown friends you've hung out with all summer, and that part doesn't get any easier. You have to break up with your favorite restaurant for a couple months, much like you did last year too. The pile of "college stuff" accumulates in the same corner of your room the same way it did last summer.
This time, all the clothes you are packing have your letters plastered over the front and back. This time, you went from packing size S t-shirts to size L t-shirts because you learned they are just so much comfier. This time, packing up your room isn't as weird as the last time you did it. This time, you know you don't have to bring the 100 pictures from the previous 12 months to hang on your wall because you know they're just going to fall off in a matter of weeks.
Moving back to school this time, you pretty much know what to expect. You know all your favorite bars, favorite froyo places, and favorite homework spots. You are literally counting down the days until you are back and you can be reunited with friends or sorority sisters or fraternity brothers or even that quiet awkward person who lives down the hall; pretty much just anyone who also attends your university because that means you'll officially be back for another amazing fall semester.
