Back To School Now Versus Then
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Back To School Now Versus Then

College is a whole other world

20
Back To School Now Versus Then
pexels.com

As I prepare for my penultimate “first day of school”, I’ve been thinking about the differences between college back to school and back to school for any year before. Let me preface this by saying I love school, I love learning, and there comes a point in every summer when I am itching to get back. The thing of it is, there’s a different feeling between wanting to get back to middle or high school and wanting to get back to college.

Especially by this point in college, I know the campus. I know the professors. I know the routine. I have friends and know how to make them. I know what to expect from Day 1 of a class. (Syllabus. Reading. Paper. Final. Repeat.) I know my responsibilities. I know the nuts and bolts of my little side jobs. I know my department requirements. I can see the year ahead of me with clarity and I cannot wait. There’s still room to grow and always room to learn. But the wandering is over. I am an upperclassman and I feel like one.

In years past, the first day of school did bring a little bit of dread, a fear of the unknown. In grade school my homeroom would switch and I would spend half my day with a different teacher than the year before. In high school I could already feel the workload sneaking up on me. And of course there was just the atmosphere in comparison to the freedom I had over the summer: an awkward preteen atmosphere where we still have assigned seats for lunch and only recess if we behave, or even in high school where we have to take the “Pirate pass” to leave the classroom. It’s the opposite in college. Complete freedom, essentially. Go to class when you want. Leave campus when you want. Eat what you want wherever with whomever.

I think this year, more than ever, I am excited because I am starting to really find what I like. I am looking forward to my classes because they are classes I want to take. No more Honors/IB level courses keeping me constantly working on some project or other, cramming for tests every week, eating up vocab sheets, barely skimming required reading, feeling burned out by the time the musicals come around (though in retrospect that was the best education I could have asked for). I still have a couple cores left, but that’s fine. The majority of my time is spent in the world of music and communication, where I can call watching TV doing homework.

I always like the fresh start and coming back to my friends. Since I worked on campus this summer (article to come) I feel like I haven’t left, but that’s a good feeling. I love Mercyhurst and am excited to keep learning and growing over the next two years. Only a week and a half to go!

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

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

112878
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments