Back To School, I Miss You (But Only A Little)

“I saw so many places, the things that I did.
With every broken bone, I swear I lived.”

Warning: This could turn into a ramble-y one. Back to school. Three words that people dread. Since the new school year is about to begin (or has already), I thought now would be the perfect time for this post. I was always one of those people who never wanted Summer to end. I never would have believed you if you told me I’d feel sad once I was done with school for good. But much to my surprise I am feeling a bit nostalgic. Just when I finally perfected my procrastination techniques (mostly playing Mystery Date), I had to graduate.

Now that I’ve graduated college, and as I’m attempting to be kind of sort of an adult-like person, I’m realizing how much I took school for granted. You could take endless amounts of naps, see friends, and discover hidden nooks with comfy couches that no one else knew about. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love being back at home with my family, my dogs, and my high school friends. However, I also really miss my roommates, my apartment, the beautiful campus, and random things that I didn’t expect to be missing.

I miss school supply shopping. That was always one of my favorite parts of going back to school each year. I love buying new pens, pencils, folders, and notebooks and getting everything organized. Also, school supply shopping is a sign that Autumn weather is just around the corner. I’m getting excited just thinking about it if I’m being honest. Now I’ll just have to settle for going shopping for my little brother. Not as fun, but it’ll do.

I also miss how in college there was no need to look “professional”. Sure, dress up if you have a presentation, but that’s basically it. To get a job, I have to actually look like a grown human being and wear grown up clothes and can’t show up in leggings and an oversized flannel shirt. I don’t know how to dress fancy. What if I want to dye my hair a lilac color? What if I want a tattoo? What if I want another piercing? Apparently it’s not a good idea to do these things until after getting hired… I’ve been told.

I never thought I’d be saying this either but I kind of miss doing school work. Maybe not college work necessarily (because some of that stuff SUCKED), but you know those big packets you got to fill out in high school with a bunch of questions? I’m missing that for some reason. I offered my brother to do some of his AP Statistics summer assignment because I want to do homework so bad. He was delighted.

College classes. Yes, some were hard and absolutely miserable. But I don’t think people realize how easy some of them are and how many options there are to choose from. I took a class called CHILDREN’S LITERATURE. All we did is READ CHILDREN’S PICTURE BOOKS. I’m not even kidding. It was great getting to create your own schedule in college and pick the teachers with the best reviews not even realizing the impact that some of them would have on your life. As long as the classes you had in your shopping cart weren’t filled before you enrolled… which happened way too often.

Although, despite all of these things I miss, I’m also incredibly relieved that I’m done with my school years. If I was going back next week with everyone else, I’d probably be having mild anxiety attacks right about now. Now, I’ll just live vicariously through the Class of 2019 Facebook page. I’m 100% not going to miss the terrible teachers, the exams, and the way that no one would fix our broken dishwasher and rotting cabinets. I’m proud to look back and say that I got through it, and all in all I’m happy it’s over. I can always visit my friends who are still at JMU and pretend to be a student if my heart desires. It’s time to get down to business, find a job, and enjoy this next chapter of my life.

– Alex