It's Fall All Over Again
Ah, it's that time of year again. The time when the Pumpkin Spice Latte graces us with it’s return, when the leaves start to change color (if you live somewhere other than Southern California), and when all of the young people who’ve been living it up all summer have to settle down and pretend they’re responsible adults again. It’s fall. And as Fitzgerald said in one of my all-time favorite books, “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.” And ain’t that the truth.There’s something refreshing about fall. I wouldn’t know anything about the refreshing-ness of the change in weather I hear that it provides, but there is something refreshing about everything transforming. I love a good change (okay, sometimes it takes me a while to get used to things, but most of the time I’m up for a change), and there’s something especially exhilarating about the fall. Those hot summer days that seem to drift by come to an end, and a new spark seems to bring us back to life as everyone prepares for the fall.For me, fall has been a love/hate sort of relationship for the last 5 years. As a kid, I grew up loving to learn. I was smart and curious about everything, so going to school was never a challenge for me. But then came college and my life drastically changed. I didn’t know what I wanted to do, I was (and still am) working full-time, and people around me were influencing my decisions. Last year I didn’t attend school at all because I was so focused on becoming this person that someone else wanted, that someone else thought I should be. But you all know about that already.So, after that long year of heartbreak and re-learning who I am and what I want (and not being swayed by other people’s opinions of me), I’m back. Life is starting all over again. College is an interesting adventure these days (shout out to all of you who are going through it too), but it’s something I’m learning to love despite the frustrations. One of the things I love most about it is that week or two before when the excitement of a new semester builds, schedules change, and the back to school shopping is done. Because I can always use an excuse to shop.So, I’ve done my shopping. I’m kind of a crazy person when it comes to school supplies. I think that since I’ve been in college for so long, I’ve kind of made it into a hobby.But anyway. I was asked recently if I had any tips for going back to school! So here we go! (It’ll be interesting, I swear.)1. GO TO YOUR CLASSES.Seriously. Do it. You might think “oh, I’m in college now, no one will care if I skip my morning class every week because I was out too late last night drinking with my friends.” Someone will care. Either your teacher (who might drop you), or your parents (who maybe are helping you pay for school), or you (because if you don’t show up, you won’t pass. Promise). Drink some coffee and get your butt in that seat.2. Don’t stress about missing a class here and there.Okay, I know I just told you to go to your classes, but look, sometimes life sucks and you’re overwhelmed and you just need ONE DAY off to breathe and recharge. And that’s okay. Take time for yourself. Your mental health is more important than your grade in that class. That’s something I learned the hard way.3. Don’t drink too much coffee.Also something I learned the hard way. One cup in the morning is good. You don’t need to drink 6 cups in a day. It’s actually not as beneficial as you would think and it also causes stomach ulcers and anxiety (which, if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably have plenty of already).4. Don’t pull an all-nighter.You don’t retain information when you do that. The average person can only retain information for about an hour. Then it’s time for a break. Staying up all night and depriving your body of sleep won’t get you a better grade on that final. It’s science.5. Get all your school supplies after your first class.Unless your teacher has sent you a list of exactly what they want you to have, hold off on buying stuff right away. You might buy something you don’t need and then you’ll be so sad you didn’t save that money to buy yourself Chipotle for dinner.That being said… Here are a few of my favorite school supplies of this semester! (Click the image for links to buy!)
Ban.do PlannerBecause c’mon, how cute is this?
Pamela Barsky PouchShe has so many with different fun quotes!
Yoobi NotebookOkay, I know it looks boring, but it’s cheap, it gets the job done, and for every notebook you buy, they donate a notebook to a classroom that needs one, right here in the states. Pretty cool, I think.
Ban.do PensThey’re just adorable.
And my last (but not least important) suggestion for the school year:6. Enjoy it!Whether it’s your first semester in college, or you’ve been here forever like me, enjoy it for what it is. We won’t be in this era of our lives forever. Study hard, work hard, and enjoy every little bit of every moment, because we won’t be this young and not-tied-down forever!Here’s to fresh beginnings. I don't know about you, but I'm always up for one of those.