how to get that back-to-school feeling as a college graduate

Every year in late August, I get excited for that back-to-school aesthetic of autumn. To me, starting a new semester meant a fresh beginning to life. It means fascinating new subjects on my class schedule, an organized study space, establishing a morning routine. Heading back to school felt like opening a new chapter in life.

I’m a college graduate now, which means that for the first time in sixteen years, there is no “next semester.” No classes to sign up for, no textbooks to order, no study plan to color-coordinate.

Still, just because there’s no “next semester” doesn’t mean college graduates can’t recover that exciting feeling of getting life organized again. Let’s look at five ways we can use the ingredients of the back-to-school aesthetic to create our own new beginning in September.

1. draft up a plan for the next three months

Part of the back-to-school charm is being able to reinvent yourself. It’s the metaphorical “glow up” that everyone secretly wants: an updated wardrobe, a new haircut, polished nails, clear skin, a perfectly-packed bag, you name it.

Grab the nearest notebook and spend a few minutes drafting up a version of yourself that you’d like to be in three months. Which areas of your life do you want to improve? What do you want more of in your life? What do you want to accomplish? Who do you want to be by the end of the year?

Write down the most detailed vision you can imagine. With that picture in mind, as you go into September, set aside some time for life upkeep. Clean out your desk, your phone, your car, your closet. Cleaning is the easiest way to give yourself a fresh start.

2. stock up on school supplies

…because we couldn’t talk about going back-to-school without discussing the particular joy of a freshly-sharpened pencil or the thrill of a color-coordinated planner, right?

Personally, I like having a stack of composition notebooks, plenty of colorful sticky notes, a bouquet of pens and highlighters, and (especially!) a planner. A stash of chocolate or your favorite tea is not so bad to have on hand, either. Stock up on your essentials, whatever they may be.

3. set up your study space

There’s nothing more satisfying that sitting down at a tidy desk, opening a new notebook, and reaching for your new set of highlighters or gel pens to start a new project.

The key here is to pay attention to ambience. Light up an autumn candle to set the mood, make yourself a cup of hot chocolate in your favorite mug, keep a big glass of water nearby, pull up a comfy blanket. For background noise, check out some of the great ambience videos and studying playlists on YouTube.

4. organize your schedule

Some use a classic bullet journal*, others use a whiteboard wall calendar, and still others prefer digital planning systems or apps. Personally I remain stubbornly loyal to the old-fashioned planner. Whatever your method, let’s tackle the madness…

In college, students are given class schedules. Going into the next three months, create your own class schedule made up of the “subjects” you want to spend more time on. My chosen subjects are blogging, video editing, journaling, and creative writing. I’ve scheduled specific hours during the week to focus on each of those areas.

College classes always have a syllabus that spells out a road map of all the upcoming projects for the semester. If you feel so inclined, grab a notebook for each subject. Jot down the projects you want to tackle in the next three months, the areas you want to research, a week-by-week breakdown of tasks, etc.

(*Side note: if bullet journaling intrigues you, check out my monthly “plan with me” posts that break down my journaling and planning process for the month ahead)

5. establish morning and evening routines

A morning routine guarantees that your day begins on the right note. Start by getting plenty of sleep, so you feel refreshed and reenergized by the time your alarm goes off. Make your morning routine work for you: a cup of coffee/tea, journaling, yoga, a morning walk, a homemade breakfast, etc.

As you get into the groove of a morning routine, you’ll feel put-together, prepared, and ready to start the day with a spring in your step.

The college days may be behind us, but a fresh new autumn is ahead. May this fall be brimming over with all the delights of academia, cozy sweaters, new books, and hot pumpkin spice lattes.

“Don’t you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies.”

—You’ve Got Mail (1998)

more back-to-school awesomeness:

If organization and academia and life-planning are your cup of tea, here are more posts you’ll enjoy:

• how to reset your life
• my journey to simplifying my life (part one) and thoughts (part two)
• a mental glow-up: cultivating an abundance mindset
• what’s in my bag: minimalist edition
• the ultimate guide to staying organized in college