The 4 Waves of Emotion We All Feel in First Week

Nicolette PT

Whether you’re a freshie or a familiar face, the first week back after summer break is always a shock to the system. Here are 4 feelings you’re guaranteed to have before week 1 is out..

1.   Nervous

It’s your first day of uni ever or just your first day back for another year and once again you’re not sure what you’ve gotten yourself into. Will you have classes with any of your friends? Do you really need to buy the textbook? Do you reeeally have to say a fun fact about yourself and introduce the person next to you during icebreakers? (yes – we’re sorry.) Are you REEAAALLYYY going to concentrate in class because “2020 is your year” or are you going to spend your lecture time surfing Facebook like always?

Never fear! Tutorials usually don’t start until week 2 so you’ve got a hot minute to get your head around the content and unit of study information. You can rest easy knowing that it’s natural for this wave to hit before you walk into your first few classes and ebb by the time you walk out. Issa baby wave. You’ve got this.

2.   Excitement

Readings – who needs ‘em? You’re not about to let your social life suffer just because uni’s back on. This is meant to be the “time of your life” and you’re ready to live it tf up. Need a caffeine hit and a DnM? Head to Taste Café for coffee catch ups with your mates. Can’t make it to the beach between classes? Stake your claim on the law lawns and lap up the last of the summer sun with literally every other student on campus. In need of an excuse to celebrate surviving your first week? Pizza and a sneaky day-drink after class at Courtyard Restaurant and Bar will do the trick. Uni life is easy. Here’s to you! *clink clink*

3.   Stress/Confusion

Okay, so you let your wave of excitement get ahead of you and you’re now feeling the tsunami of stress and confusion. Trying to decipher your lecture notes and readings late at night makes semester seem far from cakewalk you thought it was going to be. How do you even use this Canvas thing? You can’t find the modules anywhere! Wasn’t the stress of enrolling enough torment? Argh!

4.   Calm

Chill out! It’s your first week back. Don’t let the heat get to you, but don’t let your work get away from you either. It’s all about balance, you tell yourself before getting to work. But only for an hour. You’ve still got to finish your Cheer binge on Netflix. See – balance.