Another First Day of School

As I start to write this, a fairly relaxing weekend is coming to a close. The next few days will be bustling, however, as we prepare for another first day of school. But this time, it will be a bit different, as the school is almost 200 miles from here. Yes, The Boy is about to begin a new adventure at college. Naturally, this whole experience has been on my mind a lot lately, as I'm sure it has been his (though from a different perspective).

But the more I think about it, the more it seems like we've been through it all before. It seems like the first day of college might have a lot in common with the first day of kindergarten.

In no particular order (and from a mom's point of view, though dads may find themselves in the same position)...

It means an entirely new daily routine. A 5-year-old may be used to spending the whole day at home or with friends at daycare. Mom has probably been waking up at the same time and making sure everyone starts their day on time. Now, the student will be eating breakfast at a different time in a different place and with different people. And this mom certainly won't be calling to make sure he doesn't hit the snooze alarm too many times! Dinner won't be when Mom says it's ready. It will be when class is done and the cafeteria is open. And don't forget about working out a schedule for using the shower!

It means a different site for naptime. A preschooler might be used to curling up in their own bed or on their own mat for a little break during the day. Soon, the college student will be looking for secluded couches scattered around campus or learning the roommate's schedule to know when he will be out of the room.

It means a lot of new faces and friends. The familiar playgroup broke up like an old rock band. The lunch-table crew has scattered in dozens of directions. But the process of making friends is still pretty much the same: Just find common interests and take it from there. 

It means learning a new set of skills. Thirteen years ago the goals were to practice writing the alphabet and sharing the crayons. Now it will focus on more mature literary analysis or scientific reasoning. In each case, it's about building upon what you already know, but in college I don't think they make you skip recess for not trying your best.

It means sharing a good portion of your day with one person in particular. Kindergarten is a good place to use the buddy system: two people who always sit next to each other, walk in line together, get their coats on together. College takes it one step further by taking two strangers and magically making them "roommates." Let's hope everyone got a satisfactory grade in "plays well with others."

It means finding your place within the "society." The preschooler may have been someone's favorite, or the funny one, or the LEGO expert. The senior may have been a jock, or a math geek, or a music kid. You just get comfortable with where you fit into the big picture. Now you've got to explore some more to find your groove in a new environment.

It means shopping for new school supplies (yay!). It used to be fat crayons, tissues for the classroom, and a blunt-tip scissors. Now it may be a graphing calculator, lots of pens, and sheets and towels. Hey, any chance to check out what's new in an office-supply store is fine by me!

Kindergarten isn't necessarily better or worse than being 4 years old. And being a college freshman isn't necessarily better or worse than being a high-school senior. It's just...different. Just another leg on this journey we call "life." Sorry, does that sound trite or melodramatic? Cut me some slack. My "baby" is leaving for college!