Marble Pedestal: Return to classes

The beginning of September always feels strangely refreshing. The weather is cooling off, the new semester is off to a start, and the familiar routine of campus life feels shiny and new. The eventual stress from the workload is inevitable, but there are many things to look forward to as the academic year begins.

Returning to classes after a laissez-faire summer may, at first, seem like a drag. However, the routine is much like a couch cushion that has moulded to your exact shape. Once you get used to it, it will support you in ways you didn’t know you needed. Having something to wake up for and work towards is fulfilling because it takes real effort to develop yourself. Stagnation is never healthy, and the feelings of achievement and growth are both comforting and motivating.

The joys of the new year go beyond the academics. The return to classes also seems to give a boost to everyone’s social life. You’re around fresh faces in your classes, student groups are on the hunt for new members, and most people aren’t yet too busy to attend events. It’s a great time to meet new people! Maybe this year, you’ll make lasting friendships with people in your classes, or finally join that club you’ve been watching at a distance. There’s no knowing who or what you’ll discover this year, and fresh starts create the perfect environment on campus to find community. 

The university experience goes beyond the assignments, the exams, and the final letters on your transcript. Even amid the stress, there’s always something to look forward to that makes it worth it. The comfortable silence in the library as you cram with a friend. The relief and pride from doing better than expected on an essay. The time spent with someone you’d have never met outside of that one class. It transforms you into someone wiser and smarter — at the very least, it’ll make you tough.

Falling in love with the academic journey takes a learned shift in perspective. Despite the impending stress, the return to classes is symbolic of past efforts and future potential.