College is fun, finals are the opposite of fun, and leaving is hard. Whether you stay close or go far, there is no doubt you will miss certain things about school. If your experience was anything like mine, these 10 stages will be very relatable!

1.Finals are over! Hallelujah!!

Finals szn = worst season, hands down.

2. Denial.

We don’t leave for like 49 more hours. It’s fine. We’re fine. Everything’s fine.

3. Packing.

I am not leaving. Just putting all my belongings into boxes. For fun. But this also kind of sucks. Who knew I owned so much stuff?

4. Checkout.

I Clorox-ed this entire room. I should get an award for this. I hope my CL doesn’t notice that dent on the wall. **CL notices wall dent** Dang it. Fine me, I dare you.

5. Goodbye.

Also known as the “waterworks” stage, the “too many hugs” stage, and the “Mom, stop taking pictures” stage. This is inevitably when you dissolve into a puddle of tears and revert to physically holding onto the friends that you are leaving, dreading letting go. But then you let go because it gets kinda awkward. Or, you could just avoid all the emotion and share a nice wave goodbye and an impersonal “see ya later!” to minimize the pain.

6. Intense Nostalgia.

This stage occurs as you drive through campus one last time, and continues for the entire summer. Thoughts from this stage include, but are not limited to: “Wow, I remember when we jumped into that fountain after the Cubs won the World Series,” “TBT to when I left the library at 5:00 AM before my Biology Lab practical,” and “I am going to miss watching the sunset from that parking garage.” This really hits as you are watching the outline of your university fade into the distance in your rearview mirror. It is truly the end of one experience and the beginning of another.

7. Long Drive Home.

The length of the journey home varies, but it is generally a time spent reflecting on the past year. Man, how time flies.

8. Extreme Social Media.

Honestly, this should probably be an Olympic sport. It is the art of utilizing every social media to cross the gap of hundreds of miles in an attempt to spend as much time as possible with your friends. Houseparty, Skype, GroupMe, Kik (severely underrated for group chats and videos), Email threads, Snapchat, Facebook, letters… You name it and we probably use it.

9. Extreme Exhaustion.

That feeling when you realize you haven’t really slept for the past three or so months of your life. During this stage, you will most likely pass out for 10-14 much needed hours of rest.

10. Home!!!

Cue the dog hugs, joyful reunions, and excited family members. Say hello to your own room, a shower that doesn’t require shoes, and a lot of peace and quiet. You may spend several minutes (or hours) cozy in your own bed, taking it all in, because, as much as you love school, there really is no place like home.