A cool breeze blows the yellowing leaves, the sun is still shining and all good things are yet to come. Although summer has been rudely interrupted, it has been replaced by – unarguably – the best semester of school. The “honeymoon” phase of school is here.
There is already a general excitement and buzz in the air caused by the idea of brand-new classes, people and teachers but there are also a great deal of activities hosted by the school that evoke anticipation from the student body. These are what truly excite people.
Starting off strong, it’s football season! What’s not to love? The week leading up to the first football game is when I feel the most excitement floating through the hallways and uniting the Patriots. During this week, the only thing I consistently hear in the building is “What are you wearing?” “Are you going to the tailgate?” And then, of course, the actual game.
This year we’ve had a few unfortunate games landing on Thursday nights, regardless, people have shown up and shown out. With a football game occurring nearly every week, it gives people a guaranteed way to relax and release their stress from the week. In a fun conjoining between homecoming and football, there is the homecoming football game. With possibly the largest turnout of all the games, it is the craziest, most hype environment that you will get to experience.
Homecoming is another reason that makes the fall semester better than other semesters by a mile. The planning may get chaotic but in the end, getting to dress up all fancy, taking pictures and hanging out with friends is worth the disordered planning.
Luckily, alongside adjusting to the new schedule, classes are still in their introductory stage. Teachers are just learning the names of their students, classmates are meeting or re-introducing themselves, and the workload is still generally low. This semester is also littered with half-days, days off and long weekends. I am in no way saying that this first semester is easy and stress-free but it definitely doesn’t feel as demanding or taxing as the second semester.
Aside from all that, the holiday spirit only gets stronger. With Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas all approaching, the excitement is hard to contain and it’s only October.
As soon as the weather cools down to a nice 60 degrees, people, including myself, find themselves romanticizing this time of year. I find myself getting outside more after school, in fear that the next time I step outside, the beautiful fall leaves will have turned to brown mush on the ground. I imagine studying with the window open and a fall breeze drifting through the room; nothing makes me more productive.
Writing this, I can’t believe that there are people who genuinely prefer the second semester. Although people have already settled into a routine and know what to expect from their school schedule, classes suddenly become more stress-inducing and the worry of exams begins to build. The distance between days off gets longer and school seems never-ending. With that said, I believe I rest my case that the first semester is unmatched.
