Depending on the person, returning back to school in the fall can either be an exciting event, or a dreaded one. The only thing that really changes when going back to school when you’re a kid returning to elementary, middle or high school versus a college student returning back to campus is pretty much everything. Everything was so exciting in high school. I couldn’t wait to pull up in the parking lot with all of my best friends parked next to me, or walk down the halls strutting my new fashion ideas for the year.
Returning back to college is equally as exciting as going back to school was when I was younger, but with returning to a University, the realization of adulthood and the responsibilities that come with it lurk in the distance.
School supplies shopping.
Kid: Pick out the cutest glitter notebook or whatever the trend is for that year. Usually this shopping experience would take place at Target or somewhere like that where you would bump into all of your friends while shopping and then your parents would meet you at the register to whip out their credit card
College: Waiting until the second week of classes to see if the professor said “yes, you will actually need to buy this $365 textbook” was the honest truth. Once you decide you will have to pay over $1,000 for textbooks in which you may not open more than three times, you will brace yourself, check your bank account and then shed a few tears when handing them your personal debit card as you realize your saved summer earnings will be spent on textbooks.
Wardrobe.
Kid: Going back to school shopping when a kid is one of the most prized and exciting times of the year -- a Christmas in August. It’s a shopping spree with the desire to pick out the best clothes to impress your classmates.
College: Back to school clothes shopping isn’t even a consideration of mine. First, I am about to be even more broke then I was the year before after tuition and books are paid for, so a new wardrobe is completely out of the question. Second, what’s the point of some new clothes anyways? I roll out of bed so a frat tank and some Lulu’s are the ideal attire for my 8 a.m. classes that I promised myself I wouldn't register for again for the fifth semester in a row.
Lunch.
Kid: Your parents pack the best lunch for your first day of school. You'll be eager to open your newly purchased lunch box at lunch to see what your mom packed for your special day.
College: The Starbucks line will be wrapped around the campus twice with students waiting to get an extra shot of espresso to get them through the day. You're too poor for an actual lunch so the cup of coffee will have to get you through your day.
First day expectations.
Kid: Getting to see all of your friends that you haven’t seen all summer is the best! Everyone will catch up and talk about the drama they had with Kim or Stephanie that summer and how she totally stole Bobby from Karen who was originally dating Tim that prior school year.
College: A “I hope 15 people from my sorority have formed a row” mentality will be in my head as I enter my 300 seat lecture and a “I hope the professor doesn’t do one of those stupid icebreaker introduction games” mentality will be in my head as I enter my 20 seat small lecture.
Although many things have changed since the start of my attendance at a University, and with the stress and acknowledgment of adulthood slowly creeping up on me, I am as ready as ever to start another year.
