Summer is finally coming to an end. For those students amongst us, that means goodbye beaches and hello books. But when the last couple of months have been a combination of working, swimming and just generally recovering from last year, returning to campus can get a little weird.

Some things have changed. Some things haven’t. It’s like returning home only to find that every piece of furniture has moved an inch to the left.

So, to prove to you that you’re not alone, here’s some feelings we’re all experiencing on that first week back as we reacquaint ourselves with the campus again.

#1 Lost

Unis are always changing – it’s part of their grand scheme to look modern and forward thinking. And that’s all very well and good, until you walk face first into a building that wasn’t there last semester. Or you end up waist deep into the new fancy fountain.

That first week back is like being on a new campus again. Gone are the days of expertly walking around, face in phone and finding your footing. You’re on the new and improved campus now, better watch your step.

#2 Broke AF

We know uni is expensive. There are protests about it fairly often, but most of us like to turn a blind eye and pretend paying back the debt is a future problem. However, pulling up that first day of uni is a painful reminder of just how broke we are.

Do you shell out the $20 for parking, $5 for public transport or beg and plead for someone to take you? Sure, you could ride your bike, but as you do, just know you’ll be lugging those crazy expensive textbooks with you. Everything you do for that first week will just remind you of how little money you have. Drinks are off the table since you bought textbooks. Food is off the table if you bought a car park permit. Basically, an empty table is perfect for study. Am I right?

#3 People Everywhere

If you find yourself wishing for a new plague to thin out some of the herd, you’re not alone. With the start of semester comes a lot more people. They’ll probably lose motivation in a couple of weeks and stop turning up, but for now they’re right here. And they’re everywhere.

Lecture theatres are full, tutorials are crowded and finding a desk in peak time is like bloodbath. God forbid you need to leave your desk to go the bathroom. Not in this lifetime, buddy.

Not too mention every year the uni acceptance age must get lower because you swear some of these crowds look like they’re twelvies.

#4 Oddly Comforted

They’re something oddly comforting about returning to uni and finding your favourite coffee shop still there.

Walking in, you can reminisce on all the stressed caffeine fuelled deadlines you’ve enjoyed there. Sit in your favourite corner, and know you’re truly home as the smell of roasted coffee beans wafts towards you. The calm before the storm.

#5 Aaaaand Stressed

Are you really back at uni if you’re not either pointedly ignoring deadlines or are hyper aware of them? Even in that first week as textbooks get organised and structures explained, most students will feel a tinge of stress. Usually after they’ve realised they signed up for a topic with an 100 per cent exam or a 5,000 word assignment. Hey, welcome back.

(Lead image: Dear White People/Netflix)