If you guys are all thinking what I'm thinking, I bet you can't believe that summer vacation is almost over. I'm sure we were all anxious about finishing finals as quickly as possible so we could get home and enjoy summer with our families. I guess it's that kind of excitement that makes summer seemingly so quick. As much as we don't want summer to end, I'm sure there is a small part in everyone that is looking forward to returning to school. Whatever the ratio of negative and positive feelings may be, I'm sure the blend of mixed emotions is making our heads spin. Here are a few things going through my head at this point, and I sure hope that I'm not alone:
1. I'll pack...eventually.
I'm pretty sure that packing for college the second time around will not be as hectic and crazy as it was the first time around, but it's getting the motivation to get started that I personally struggle with. It becomes a lot of "I'll do it later" and "just wait until this episode is over," and before you know it, it's the night before it's time to leave (hopefully we won't let it get to that point).
2. This means I'm going to have to go back to being an adult...
I have definitely forgotten how to "adult" since I've been away from school, so I will have to start getting back on schedule. I'll need to get back into my laundry routine, and actually remember to do certain things since no one will be there to remind me. Sometimes I need people to remind me about 50 times before things actually get done, so this should be interesting. Sure, it may seem easier to pull out a coloring book and curl up in a Snuggie than to handle our responsibilities, but certain things just have to get done.
3. I forgot how to write legibly...oops.
Since I have not been in class in about three months, it's been a while since I've done any hardcore essay writing. I might write in chicken scratch until my muscles remember how to write like a human being, but I'm sure my professors will understand. The closest thing to writing I've done all summer is through completing crossword and sudoku puzzles, so this should be interesting...
4. I can't believe that this is the last time I'll be sleeping in my own bed!
There are a ton of ways that we make our bed at school into something comfortable for our particular sleeping needs, but it's never anything like sleeping in our own bed. Personally, when I came home for break this year, it really did not occur to me just how much I did miss my bed at home.
5. Well, I'm going to have to remind myself how to study again...
Establishing study habits that fit my college needs took some time, but I was eventually able to get into a pretty normal routine. However, after being away for a while, it will definitely take some time to refresh my memory on how to be a productive, successful student.
6. Wow, I forgot how expensive textbooks are!
I know I was mildly shocked at how expensive textbooks were when I first purchased them last year, but those thoughts have since faded. Textbooks have not been a very recent purchase of mine, so I think I'll feel that sense of astonishment in the days to come.
7. Where did all of my money go? Oh yeah, Starbucks...
Starbucks seemed to have more of an effect on my wallet than I thought. I primarily used it during finals week, but it also got me through some of my toughest late nights and long days. I should probably be more careful this year...or not, we'll see.
8. Whoa, whoa, whoa, that's how many tests this week?
It's going to be hard to remember that a professor for English is not going to care that you have three other tests in three other classes this week. This brings on a wave of stress that has not hit me over the summer, but we're all going to have to be prepared for the tides to turn. There may be times that it seems impossible to study for everything, but hey, we made it through last year, right?!
9. So no more free food right down the hall?
Being at home has many advantages, one of them being the free food whenever we want it. If it's lunch time, the most we have to do is walk down the stairs and rummage through the cabinets. When we get back to school, it may require more of a hike to get a meal. But I guess we can handle that, right? OK, it will definitely take some time to readjust, but it will hopefully be a quick and easy transition.
10. Wow, I really missed my friends!
One of the best parts about my first year experience was meeting so many incredible friends. However, we all live pretty far apart, and have not been able to see each other over the summer. Well, the fun can commence in just a few weeks, which is really exciting! A group of great friends really makes for an awesome experience at college, and I cannot wait to return to the daily shenanigans that is our friendship.
