As sun tans begin to dull, bank accounts begin to dwindle and nail biting habits kick back into full swing after a summer long hiatus, the grand arrival of a new school year has officially rocked your world. Thus commencing that familiar “new school year” anxiety that’s been hard to shake since kindergarten.Â
When trained since the age of five to handle the onset of educational induced stress, we are no longer consoled by first day stickers and lollipops, but by textbook opt-in programs and positive reviews on Rate-My-Professor. Times may be a little tougher, but they’re also a heck of a lot more fun. But for my fellow neurotic collegiettes, I’ve compiled a list of possible nail biting starters to review and remedial thoughts:Â
1) Losing your summer body: Uh oh, your new roommate loves to bake, and you love to devour those warm chocolaty drizzle brownies after a long day of classes. Finding time to squeeze in that Bikram yoga session won’t be as easy this year with your new class and work schedule.
2) Summer lovin’: Things with that sweet summer fling, or your long-term lovebird may suffer from the heavier workload on your shoulders. Looming negative thoughts may creep into your peaceful dreams and question if the foundation of your relationship will stand the test of tougher classes.Â
3) Your GPA will falter: It is only one more year until applications for grad school are due and you want to tattoo your currently high GPA onto your soul. However, it’s now time to take that random financial analysis class required for your English major, and everything you know and love may hit the floor.
4)Â Finances: Your new rent is slightly higher than last semester, and you just took out another loan. Maybe you have some help, but things will be a little tighter this year, and monthly hair appointments may be put on hold.
5) Falling out of love with your major: So the time comes for you to take that dreaded ethics class for your advertising major, and you’re afraid that the Mad Men inspired vision of your future will implode, as the introduction of legal matters will bore you to pieces.
6) Having absolutely no clue what’s next: Your time in this heavenly play- pen is coming to a close rapidly, this year should be the year you start “figuring things out”, as your father said last Sunday at dinner in his serious tone. But what if you just don’t know?
Roots may grow in, jean sizes may grow out and that one tough class may be the bane of your existence, but at the end of the day the strong arms of college still safely protect you. You still have time and energy left to figure things out, make mistakes and grow. So rock your own world, and don’t let the little worries of school push your ambition back, or worse, start up that nail biting habit.