Summer holidays are incred, right? All those plans and tans! So why are we already bored, in an argument with the entire fam and seriously missing our squad? It’s true, we’re proper excited about going back to school (not to study, obvi). Hitting high school, college or uni, hands up (like a real keeno) if you can relate to these ‘going back’ feels. Because, (like summer) is the reality ever actually as good as those great expectations…
You’ll be so super organised
Expectation
No more ‘lost’ assignments or pens with chewed ends, this is a whole new and organised you. We’re talking bag packed neatly the night before with just the books you need, folders with colour coded subject dividers, co-ordinated stationary… and your desk will be absolute goals.
Reality
It’s not long before you’re afraid to put your hand in your school bag. It’s an unlucky dip… you pray you’ll pull out your timetable and not the forgotten banana from the week before. And that co-ordinated stationary? You’ve lent/lost three of your sassy slogan pens, the fourth leaked all over your new pencil case.
You’ll look extra cute of your first day (and every day after)
Expectation
(Non uniformers) You’ll plan your sassiest outfits the night before, every day will be a winning look. You’ll master that flawless, no make-up thing and you’ll get up in time to create all those amazing ‘back to school’ hairstyles you pinned (and forgot to practise) over the holidays.
Reality
Zero planning takes place… between your group chat and Netflix commitments, there’s barely time to brush your teeth. You think about getting up early but ‘snooze’ is too tempting. Best option? Dry shampoo, a ‘messy’ pony and mascara applied (as well as can be expected) on the bus.
You and your gang will have so much to catch up on
Expectation
You’ve been apart for an entire summer; your hallway reunion is going to be EPIC. So much boy gossip, drama and funny stories to tell each other. This is just the start of all the amazing IRL chats you’re going to have on the daily…
Reality
You spend three minutes discussing Love Island and realise that you’ve already covered it… nothing happened beyond what you’ve already seen on FB, IG and Snapchat. You all revert to your phones to look for new discussion points until first bell.
Everyone will notice your summer transformation
Expectation
Your dramatic new long bob will make you look so chic and grown-up, not to mention that glorious post summer glow. Like a make-over scene from every teen movie ever, nobody will believe your incredible transformation… bring on the butterfly years.
Reality
The hint of holiday tan peeled away weeks ago and your orange hands give away your failed attempt at home bronzing. The bob isn’t low maintenance or easy to style, the magazines (and your mum’s hairdresser) lied. You look the same, minus a few dead ends…
Especially your crush
Expectation
He’s finally going to see that you are the girl… no, woman of his dreams. You will move forward to the next stage – from obsessively doodling his name in your notebook to having an actual conversation. You’ll probably be official by the end of the first week back.
Reality
Progress… he does know you exist… he asks you… why you were staring at him in registration and ‘politely’ requests you stop! So, you got a new do and he got a new girlfriend. But wait, who’s that new guy and what conditioner is he using on those locks?
You’ll nail your lunch game
Expectation
No more canteen chips and gravy, you’re going to prep amazing packed lunches, and probably get one of those cute bento boxes. Every day will be gram-worthy and so nutritious.
Reality
Did someone say chips?