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13 Phases Every Returning College Student Goes Through

The GIFs we wish we could have in our back pocket to describe our first week of the semester.

Kristen McBride

Aug 23, 2018

Ithaca College

166

13 Phases Every Returning College Student Goes Through

@ithacacollege / Instagram

There are some things that you learn from experience, one of which is the return to college. You've had some time off and may or may not be looking forward to going back. Nonetheless, every semester's beginning feels like "Groundhogs Day" — same crap, different year. And so, here are all the phases college students suffer through during their first week back at school.

1. The "Goodbye, Mom and Dad" phase.

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Don't bother lying to yourself. This happens to everyone, even if it's just for a moment.

2. The "pep talk" phase.

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Usually occurring the morning before classes begin, this phase can last minutes or hours.

3. The "I need coffee, but I'm already broke" phase.

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You tell yourself the line is too long just so you can save a few bucks. Just don't fall asleep in class.

4. The "it's my seat so back off" phase.

Miami University / Facebook

It's the unspoken rule that your seat on the first day of class will most likely be your seat on the last day of class. And if you mess this system up, then screw you and the whole frickin' social pyramid.

5. The "you should really get to know me" phase.

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There's at least one person (or professor) who always tries to play it cool. Don't think too far into it.

6. The "fun-fact introduction" phase.

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No, professor, I will not give a fun fact about myself. Nice try, though!

7. The "bathroom break" phase.

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You're not funny, you're not cool, and you're pissing me off. So, I'm out.

8. The "broken promises" phase.

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Whether it's your professor apologizing for making you spend $120 on a textbook you won't need or running into that old floormate of yours that always says "it's nice to see you" even though they hate your guts, everyone is a liar.

9. The "remembering and neglecting responsibilities" phase.

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And that's why you began watching "Friends" for the fifth time.

10. The "mandatory meeting" phase.

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Mandatory floor meetings, college org meetings, and copy-editing meetings are just... no.

11. The "long lost friendship" phase.

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You're reunited and it feels so good.

12. The "getting into the swing of things" phase.

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You've survived the first week of classes, you kind of got it together, and you're happy you made it this far.

13. The "thank f*** we made it to the weekend" phase.

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Let the party dance of syllabus week commence.

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

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13 Phases Every Returning College Student Goes Through

The GIFs we wish we could have in our back pocket to describe our first week of the semester.

1. The "Goodbye, Mom and Dad" phase.

2. The "pep talk" phase.

3. The "I need coffee, but I'm already broke" phase.

4. The "it's my seat so back off" phase.

5. The "you should really get to know me" phase.

6. The "fun-fact introduction" phase.

7. The "bathroom break" phase.

8. The "broken promises" phase.

9. The "remembering and neglecting responsibilities" phase.

10. The "mandatory meeting" phase.

11. The "long lost friendship" phase.

12. The "getting into the swing of things" phase.

13. The "thank f*** we made it to the weekend" phase.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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