Beating Back to School

Going back to school. The best and worst time of the year. The first week is all fun and games, as we meet new teachers and catch up with friends we haven't seen all summer. For the first week, stress levels aren't too high yet as we are eased into new routines. It's also nice to have something to do all day. And I'm sure my mom is happy to have me out of the house. But, it's also the worst time of the year. There's fear for the next 180 days and the stack of books that slowly gets higher. Teachers begin introducing large projects and essays and tests that are coming up in the next month and day by day the fun goes away.

As I'm going through my 12th first week of school, I seem to be numb to 'the pain' this time. The glory and excitement that comes along with being a senior has carried me through the first three days. The worst part so far has been that I've needed a nap every single day after school, so I think it could be worse.

I've found a few things that have helped me:

1. Knowing just because summer is over, doesn't mean fun is over. There are still weekends that, as long as I save time for homework, can be spent with friends. The weather's still nice, the pool is still open, and the beach is only two hours away!

2. Cheesy as it is, a positive attitudes really makes a difference. Homework is inevitable...groaning each time an assignment is given only makes it worse.

3. Napping! It's not just for 1st graders.

4. BACK TO SCHOOL SHOPPING!! Homework is way more fun when I get to put it in my new folder and write on it with 6 different colored pens.

I'm sure in about a month I'll look back on this post, with a to-do list to my eyeballs, wondering what I was thinking and how I could possibly have any positive attitude towards school, but for now, it's not so bad. To everybody starting back in these next few weeks, good luck and have fun!