The 6 Stages Of Back To School Grief | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

The 6 Stages Of Back To School Grief

We all go through it.

21
The 6 Stages Of Back To School Grief
Instagram

Take a minute to reflect back on the final day of last semester's exam week. You've just finished your last exam, and you're packing up your car to go home. As you drive away from your campus, all you can think about is the summer that lies ahead. The possibilities of your summer break unwind in front of you, with seemingly endless options. Maybe you'll go on vacation, or you'll start an exciting internship or summer job. You'll spend lots of time catching up with old friends and binge watching movies on your couch. Whatever you decide to do with your summer, you know you'll soak up every last carefree minute of it.

Fast forward to now. Believe it or not, school is starting soon. Like, really soon. This is a notion that will be hard for you to grasp, and more than likely, you will find yourself going through the six stages of back to school grief.

1. Shock.

Wait, what? School starts in just a few short weeks? Soon, you have to start doing homework and taking tests again? You have to start thinking about school supplies?! You will have to repack everything you spent a month of your summer unpacking in your room at home??

2. Denial.

This can't be happening. There's no way that summer is almost over. You just got home!! You still have plenty of time to catch up on that one show on Netflix, and you absolutely can squeeze in a full family vacation before you have to head back.

3. Anger.

You've been so busy with your summer job/internship/family obligations that you barely got to have any fun during your hard-earned summer vacation! It is seriously unfair that you have barely had any time to unwind and relax, and now have to start studying and completing assignments again. You'll be crying in the library at 2 a.m. in no time.

4. Bargaining.

Maybe you can go back to college but not do any actual school work. That way you'll still be moved in, and on campus, but will get to spend time with your friends instead of stressing out about your future and test grades. If this fails, maybe you can convince your mom to let you be a kid again for just one semester.

5. Depression.

Soon, it will be back to all the worries of the school year. Where will you sit in your new courses? Who will you study with? What if you fail all your classes and have to make balloon animals on the street to get by? College is already stressing you out and you aren't even there yet. The thought of having to trade in your pajamas and pizza for all-nighters and lectures makes you want to cry in the fetal position for a couple of hours.

6. Acceptance.

So, your summer is almost over. But, that doesn't mean that the fun has to end. You start to remember all the amazing and fun parts of school. Having dinner with your friends, and watching cheesy movies on the couch. Those long life chats, and nights spent dancing to music at parties. Even though the end of summer does mean a return to schoolwork, it also means more time to spend with the awesome people at school, and a chance to better yourself and your future in the long run. You order your textbooks and begin packing, and find yourself smiling as you reorganize your backpack for the coming semester. You got this.

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

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

190203
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

14886
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

457858
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26618
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments