The Adult Version Of Back-To-School Excitement

Do you remember when we were kids and how excited we would be for a new school year? Have you ever thought about how great it would be to have an adult version of back-to-school excitement?

Even if you didn’t actually like school, I’m sure you were ready to see your friends everyday again, or maybe settle into your favorite sport or extracurricular club again. No matter what it is that you miss from those back-to-school days, every time late August into early September rolls around something just feels missing now.

What if I told you there are ways you can fill that back-to-school void? That is what I’m sharing with you today. Let’s call it back-to-school for adults, without actually having to go back to school. 

What Part are you missing Most?

First things first we need to do some reflecting to see what you enjoyed most about going back to school. That way we can fill that specific void. Which of these feel the most specific to you?

• You loved getting back together with your friends 
• Getting to go on a shopping spree for new school clothes
• You enjoyed learning new things
• Picking out your notebooks, pens, and other supplies gave you so much joy
• You missed playing sports or going to after school activities

While we obviously can’t go back, there are ways to fill that void we have from our past. I’ve got nine ways you can do just that in the next section.

The Adult Version Of Back-To-School Excitement

The activities that I’m suggesting here aren’t ones that are out of the ordinary, you may even do some of them already. The key is to do them with intention and romanticize it.

For example, buying new pens and notebooks can be more than just getting the first ones you see. Take your time and choose ones that match your personality/vibe. Who says you can’t add some excitement to your stationary and/or office supplies?

Quarter Refresh for the Adult Version of Back-to-School

If you miss the organization aspect of a new school year, I’d suggest starting a quarter refresh. This can look any way you want it to.

You can switch out your office/home decor, go over your budget and any events coming up, change out your seasonal clothes, the sky is the limit truly. I’d recommend doing this every three months, but you can really do a refresh as little, or as often as you like (semi-annual, monthly, etc.).

Personal Curriculum 

For those that crave the structure of taking multiple classes and learning about a variety of subjects, you’ll be interested in creating your own personal curriculum. I’ve talked about this idea here on GenTwenty before.

The basics of creating a personal curriculum is to pick some subjects you want to learn more about (I’d say around 2-5 would be a good amount), and find resources you can use to learn about those subjects. It can be from books, podcasts, documentaries, and even field trips.

Finding A New Hobby

One of the parts about school that I loved was joining after school clubs. I loved getting to be hands on and learn things along the way. This translates well to trying new hobbies as an adult version of back-to-school.

There are a plethora of hobbies to choose from. Start by determining what you are interested in, your budget (some hobbies can get costly), and what is accessible to you (is it something you can do at home or at a local place). Then pick a few to try until you find something you enjoy.

Buying New Outfits 

Maybe your favorite part of going back-to-school was the shopping spree that took place right before school started? I’d guess that you’d enjoy going shopping for a few new outfits, this time with adult money.

I realized a few years ago how much I missed this. I was working at a clothing store and it hit me that I hadn’t shopped for clothes for myself in a long time. If you are in this situation now this is me telling you to buy yourself a few new outfits.

Getting A New Office

Whether you got a promotion that gave you a new office, you got a new job, or you are creating a home office, this can give you those back-to-school vibes as well.

You’ll get to get office decor (like decorating your locker) and pick out new office supplies (school supply list). It’s a fun way to make your space your own, while also stocking up on things you may need.

Take A New Class for an Adult Back-to-School Version

If a personal curriculum seems like too much for your current schedule, but you still want to learn something new, taking a class/course would be a great idea. It can be something just for fun, or to learn a new skill for your professional development.

There are a variety of companies that offer online courses, and there are even some colleges that offer free classes. Figure out what you want to learn, then do some research to see what your options are.

Buying New Pens/Stationary Just Because 

If you were the person that got more excited about shopping for school supplies than actually going to school, I am right there with you. The good news is that you can get excited about new pens, notebooks, planners, etc. for any reason at any time.

Even if you just want to start writing your grocery lists with colorful gel pens, I say go for it. No one is stopping you and if someone tries, well they must not like fun.

Join/Start An Adult League Of Your Favorite Sport

This might take some research/asking around, but in most communities you can find adult leagues of certain sports. You can start by checking with a local parks and recreation department.

If you can't find one, consider asking close friends and others in your community if they'd be interested in doing pick-up games sometime. Who knows? It may turn into a regular thing.

Find A Club/Community Outing To Join

If you consider yourself a bit of a social butterfly, you'd like this activity that we are ending on. Whether it's a book club, craft club, farmers market, or any other meeting/event, find ones that sound fun to you. You may make some new friends in the process.

Final Thoughts on Finding the Adult Version Of Back-To-School Excitement

Just because we have gotten older, doesn’t mean we need to grow out of the simple joys that I’ve listed above. I hope these activities will help you find joy in the mundane, and experience the same excitement we had years ago as kids.

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