Often times, a certain sense of maturity and growth comes along when we enter college. We are legal adults, living on our own. We have to buy our own groceries, do our own laundry, and even set our own bedtime. Obviously, we take on a lot of important responsibilities. But, sometimes, there are some everyday things that are more reminiscent of a simpler time: kindergarten.
Sharing
When we were in kindergarten and someone else took our toys away, we were very upset. Maybe we shed a few tears, maybe we even tattled to the teacher. Of course, they would give the toy back, we would hug and make up, and then we'd move onto the next activity. Simple and painless.
In college, however, you're just driving around, minding your own business. When, suddenly, someone takes your parking spot. Once again, something that was clearly yours has been ripped away from you. Only this time, crying won't work and there's no one you can tell who will remedy the situation. Except maybe complaining to your roommates who will commiserate with you and tell you how the same thing happened to her two and a half hours ago. You can't hug and make up with the person who took your parking spot. You just drive away with minor resentment as you watch them get out of their car and stroll on up to their apartment.
Naptime
When we were in kindergarten, they forced us to lie out our rest mats and take a nap. I don't know about you, but I was never one to fall asleep. I had way too much five-year-old energy and way too many important topics to discuss with my friend, such as who her “boyfriend" was that week, even if he didn't know it. Of course, when the teacher would walk by, we would quickly shut our eyes and pretend to fall asleep so that we would not get in trouble.
In college, naptime is not a requirement. It is a beautiful and sacred privilege. Oh, what we would give for a daily designated resting period. Somehow, in the past 15 years, we have lost the necessary energy to stay awake. Also, let's be real. We don't have a boyfriend to talk about. Naturally, there are those few but special days when we actually do get to take a nap. But of course, when our roommates walk in, we still pretend to be asleep. That game never gets old.
Snack Time
When we were in kindergarten, there was no greater time than snack time. One of the homeroom moms came in and would bring apple juice and Oreos. We would eat our delicious little snack, chat with our friends about those important kindergarten things, and continue on with our stress-free day.
Snack time in college is a bit different. Snack time does not consist of apple juice and Oreos. It consists of a bag of popcorn, some crackers, or anything else you can find in the back of your pantry. And most of the time, you're eating on the bus or on your way to class, which usually just doesn't work out so well. Something almost always gets either dropped or spilled.
Dismissal
When we were in Kindergarten, the end of the day was always a bittersweet moment. It was so sad having to part ways with your best friend. You wouldn't be able to see them until the next day, which felt like an eternity. But Mommy or Daddy was always there to pick you up with a smile on their face and a hand extended for you to grab onto.
Now that we're in college, does the day ever really end? No. You just get as much done as possible in one day and then hope that it is good enough. You go home to your roommates and flop yourself onto their bed and vent about all the things wrong with their life but remind them that they are one thing in your life that is so right. Not the same as Mom and Dad. But they definitely keep you going.
We did not know how good we had it at the age of five.
