Well, it's that time of the year again. Football, volleyball, cross country, and golf practices have begun; parents across the country are filling up your Newsfeeds with "Can't believe my baby is in _____ grade!", and Starbucks has just announced that their PSL (Pumpkin Spice Latte) is back in season. It's back-to-school time. The first week of college can be a very exciting time, and not only for Freshmen, but for returning students alike. Going back to school brings lots of exciting things, but it can also bring some negatives with it. We all have a little bit of a love/hate relationship with that very first week. If you're in college, and especially if you're a returning student, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
1. Seeing your friends you haven't seen ALL summer.
Seriously, it's like the best part. You have to catch up on everything you did over the past four months, and that alone will take up the whole first day you're back.
2. Realizing the summer is over and wondering where it went.
Wait, you mean it's already September? Who knew four months of Summer could fly by so fast? What did I even do all summer?
3. When you get to class on the first day and the professor passes out the syllabus and says, "Okay, let's get started with Chapter 1..." Excuse me, what?!
You are the worst kind of human being. IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A SYLLABUS DAY! How is starting in right away helping anyone? You can't fool us, we all know you wanted summer to be longer, too. Come on just tell us your rules and let us go home!
4. FOOTBALL SEASON.
I understand not everyone likes football, but it's so much more than just football. It's the crowd and the unity of our school and the cheering and the band and the concessions.
5. Care packages *insert heart eye emoji*
If you forgot how much fun it is to get packages when you're away from home, you will hopefully be reminded when you get back to school. Grandma will send a box full of cookies or mom will send something you forgot at home. It's like Christmas... in September.
6. No matter how many times you've done it, there's a moment during that week when you just want your mom and dad.
It usually hits for like five seconds and then you realize that you're being stupid because you love this place, but you just can't help it some days. College is a great adventure, but as much as you love it and as much fun as you have, you'll still miss your family and friends back home. This is totally normal.
7. Going to the book store to check prices on all of your required textbooks and fighting back the tears.
Seriously? WHY is my math book $200? Did Einstein write it himself? In a normal world people wouldn't pay $50 for a book! What is it about college that all of a sudden makes it okay to charge $900 for five textbooks? This is outrageous. I quit.
8. Walking across campus and remembering why you love it.
The trees and the people and the buildings... it's home.
9. Professor: "Everyone go around the room and introduce yourself and then give a fun fact about yourself!" Students: *groan*
Seriously? A "fun fact" about myself? I don't have one of those. This is the worst kind of introduction exercise. Just read my name off of your attendance sheet and I'll raise my hand. This sucks.
