The final countdown separating you from the sweet freedom of going back to school after a long summer at home can be one of the most stressful times of that three-month long period. Packing your whole life into suitcases and boxes to travel however-long-of-a-distance always seems like mission impossible, and like a typical college student, procrastination is in our nature. No matter how many to-do lists we make and nagging lectures we get from our parents, there always seem to be some things we miss or forget to fully appreciate before we make the big move again. Here are just a few things we can all admit we shamelessly and continuously do year after year to prepare for a new semester away:
1. Go to the gym.
Yeah, you remember promising yourself you’d spend the entire summer getting all shape? Well somehow there’s now only a couple weeks left in August and you realized you spent way too many nights at the bar and taco bell at 3am. Now it’s crunch time and the regret starts to kick in, forcing you to go beast mode at the gym trying to make up for the last three months as if it’s still humanly possible.
2. Eat your favorite hometown food.
It may seem counterproductive to hit the gym while stuffing your face, but no one can resist the pure terror of being away from your favorite home town spots. If you’re like me and you’re from the north but go to school in the south, saying goodbye to pizza and decent Chinese food while simultaneously begging your mom to load you up on your favorite meals is a must.
3. Order a a ton of unnecessary things from Amazon.
I know I can’t be the only one that’s spent countless sleepless nights browsing for useless stuff that you absolutely need for your dorm or place off campus. Because you definitely couldn’t have lived without that neon Bud Light sign, shower radio and toaster oven that holds four pizza slices. Sold.
4. Make a playlist for the first pregame you’ll be hosting.
Whether you’re moving into a new house, apartment, or upgrading your room in the dorms, you’ve definitely already started mentally planning the first pregame of the semester you and your roommates will be hosting. All summer has prepared you for this moment of going back to school with the most hyped up playlist for all syllabus week festivities.
5.“Hang out” with all your friends.
We are all guilty of promising every person we went to high school with that we drunkenly ran into all summer that we would hangout before it ends. Now your days are numbered and you start to fall through on all these pretend plans you made, because let’s face it- you like sleep more than people.
6. Pick up every possible shift at work.
Any college student knows that summer break is just a time where you switch from spending your days slaving away in class to slaving away at work. The sole objective is to rack as much cash as possible to keep you alive all semester when you’re ballin’ on a budget.
7. Steal back all your clothes from your siblings.
Probably one of the worst feelings while frantically going through every article of clothing you own while packing is the realization that your siblings have inevitably snuck back half of your closet. It’s all fun and games until you’re rummaging through their hampers for your favorite shirt on the day before you leave.
8. Say goodbye to your pets.
The easiest hello and the hardest goodbye, anyone who owns an animal knows you gotta show love to your pets before you leave them behind. After that, you’ll just have to live on sole contact via pictures and the occasional FaceTime chat with your dog.
9. Have one last townie night with your best friends.
You gotta end the summer with a bang, and what better way than a typical crazy night in your town’s local pub with your favorite people? “It’s my last night” is always a sure fire way to get free drinks and be the life of the party.
10. Comfort your crying mother as she says goodbye.
No matter how many times you’ve gone back to school throughout the years, your mom never fails to sob as if it’s the first day of freshman year. You’ll inevitably have to assure her you’ll make smart choices and spend your days at the library just to calm her down.
I think it’s safe to say we’ve all experienced or done some of these things, even if we’re not proud to admit. At least now you’ll be prepared and never forget to get all the little things done next time you fly the nest!
