Every time when I'm home for break, I end up playing at least one round of Mario Kart. Even though I've been playing it for years, there is something about this game that gets me so worked up! There is so much anxiousness, frustration, and excitement, kind of like college.

1. You strategically pick your character and the best kart.

Picking your character and kart is like picking your major. There are so many options that it could be quite overwhelming at first. As you keep playing and as you keep taking more classes, you begin to recognize what you feel comfortable with. You decide on your player and kart/major and you're ready to take on the world.

2. You start off on a high! You pressed your accelerator at the right time!

The first weeks of school treat you pretty well! You're on top of your work and you even have free time to play some more Mario Kart. Life is good! If life continues like this, it will be smooth sailing.

3. You think everything is going well, but then you slip on your own banana and you drop to eigth.

Everything seems to be going smoothly until you accidentally forget about what seems to be only one little assignment, but the whirlwind of college catches up with you. You now find yourself behind the pack and swamped with work.

4. You know that you're great at weaving through crowds from your years of practice, so you make it up to first.

You realize that you've been in a worse position before and you decide that you're going to get your life together before midterms roll around. So, you make sure to do all of your work, eat well, and successfully evade every obstacle that is thrown at you. It is important, though, to make sure that you don't get too excited too soon!

5. You're in first place, but you hear the blue shell coming, so you brace for impact.

You realize that the first third of the semester is over and you know that midterms are around the corner. You try to make sure that you keep up with everything. Unfortunately, you also realize that you've been sniffling a little more than usual.

6. You think that you're catching up and doing amazingly, but then you realize that you've been looking at the wrong screen.

It's official, your life is crumbling down! You find out that you have four midterms this week and, to make matters worse, your little sniffles have turned into a cold.

7. You realize that you're in 12th, but you get the bullet, which saves you.

Mid-semester break treats you to great company, great food, great naps, and great rounds of playing Mario Kart. You feel re-energized and are ready to take-on anything else that comes at you during the rest of the semester.

8. Even though your thumbs are getting tired, hearing the music speed up on the last lap gets you pumped.

There is no doubt that finals are coming up, but you focus on the freedom that you'll get once they're over during your break! You know that if you were able to successfully make it over all of the bumps along the way during the beginning of the semester, then you can definitely make it through finals week!

9. You feel like you can do anything because you just won first place on Moonview Highway.

You did it! You made it! You feel like you're on top of the world! All of your trials and tribulations were worth it! It is time to ditch the books and celebrate!

10. Then, you slowly come back to reality and the excitement fades as you realize that you have Rainbow Road coming up.

As summer starts to end, you realize that you'll soon go through the same steps. Just like Mario Kart, it will still be just as entertaining the second, third, and fourth times that you go through the craziness that is known as college.