It's September so that means it's back to school time this week for lots of youngsters who are in education. My youngest is going into her last year at college (further education). Things are very relaxed around here, we feel old hands at this back to school lark but there is still something exciting about it even for me as an adult with now adult children!
Even if you haven’t set foot in a classroom for years that back to school feeling just feels good. It’s a mix of nostalgia, excitement and this strange urge to get your life together. I haven’t had to pack a school bag in years but I still find myself wanting to buy new notebooks, pens, label things and start fresh.
I was in town a couple of weeks ago watching parents and children buy the back to school supplies and uniforms and I actually missed doing that. All Ellie needed this year was some pens and a notebook so I treated myself to a new notebook too. Did I need another notebook? Of course not. Did I buy it because it has a pretty cover and smooth paper? Absolutely! Every year I fall victim to the stationery trap. When I was at school it was all about persuading my mam that I definitely needed a brand new set of gel pens, despite having a pencil case bursting with perfectly good ones from last year. Now as a fully grown woman I don’t have to justify my stationery purchases to anyone. hehehe
I will no doubt be seeing kids in oversized uniforms, heading to school and it takes me straight back to my own first days of term, hating everything being too big and then doing the same and buying bigger for my girls so they wouldn't grow out of everything within a month. I remember wondering who my new teachers would be, seeing friends again after the summer and feeling excited. Now I get to enjoy it from the outside, without the 7am alarm going off or having double maths to deal with.
For me September has always felt more like the start of a new year than January ever does. January is cold, dark and generally involves eating leftover Christmas treats but September feels like a much more relaxed start. Summer tends to throw everything out of routine with late nights and lying in bed later than usual. By September I’m craving a bit of structure again and the cosy factor which happens around now is a big bonus. It feels like we're heading into Autumn fast and I am happy about it. The evenings start to cool which means it's the return of my fleecy PJ's. It's getting darker earlier and at this time of year I always say I love the dark nights, shutting the curtains early and getting cosy. I even love those mornings when you step outside and there’s that crisp, just barely there chill. It’s also the start of good TV again and my first thoughts go to Strictly Come Dancing and The Great British Bake off!
I’ve made my own little traditions for this time of year. Buying a new candle which is always something warm and spicy like cinnamon or vanilla. I’ll start a new notebook, do some baking and have tons of motivation to get things done around the house. This time as an adult is all about getting to keep all the fun bits from the back to school season. Ditching the early mornings, the awkward group projects and the strict uniform rules and keeping the fresh start, the cosy feelings and the little spark of excitement. It's all the fun of the season without the stress.
So no I’m not going back to school this week but I am going to write in my new notebook, light an autumn scented candle and do a bit of decluttering!
Do you like back to school season?
Yes I love it. I think september often feels more than the start of a whole new year than January does.
ReplyDeleteAs a retired teaching assistant I have many memories of the first day back at school after the long break. There was always a level of anxiety, would I remember how to teach, would I remember all the children and their names. As I supported children with social and emotional needs would we get on or would it be an endless round of conflict and being sworn at and worse still things being thrown at me. How much time would I spend just standing outside the classroom making sure my charge doesn't injure themselves or anybody else.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong I, on the whole enjoyed my job, but oh boy did it have its challenges.
Jane
Fun post to read- and yes, it was always fun to get new school supplies even if plenty of "old" supplies were in the house in abundance :). I hope you like your new notebook. I'm glad you treated yourself! I hope that Ellie's school year is a great one!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! Since I was a teacher for 38 years, September has always felt like the beginning of the New Year for me, as well! Happy Tuesday!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you - September feels like the new year for me. I have only boys who never cared about school supplies so I used to take my friend's daughters for her ;) I never do spring cleaning, either, it's always fall that motivates me. (well, not yet, but I'm optimistic)
ReplyDeleteThis brings back so many memories of the first day of school, for me and for Sophia. Happy times!
ReplyDelete