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Top 10 PERKS of "Back to School"

 Congratulations! You've survived your first month of school!
 
    Now that the "dust has settled" a bit, and no, this is still not a dream ... You ARE Back in School! But there are definite PERKS!
 
    Yes, you heard correctly, PERKS! What are the BEST things about going back to school?!
 
 
    Welcome to ... 
 
 
THE LIVE LIFE PROJECT'S Top 10 PERKS of "Back to School" 
(in no particular order)
 
10. Reuniting with friends and listening to their "summer stories": Now that you're accustomed to rolling out of bed at 5:00 AMinstead of the blissful 10:00 AM (or noon), it's time to catch up and hang out with friends. With everyone all over the place during the summer: jobs, camps, vacations, etc. "Back to School" means getting back with good friends and exchanging "summer stories".
9.    Not "Too Cool for School": Reconnecting with Fave Teachers and Staff Members: Let's face it, we all (even you) have that favorite adult who "gets us", who puts up with us, and who keeps us out of trouble! Whether it's a science teacher, your vice-principal, coach, secretary, custodian, or lunch lady, it's always fun to reconnect and have this adult tell us how much we've grown over the summer ... and how wonderful we are!
 
8.    New Kids on the Block: New students, new staff, and new students make a new year really interesting! New people light a fire and bring on a whole new dynamic to the school. Introduce yourself! Make a newbie feel welcome! Reaching out, extending a hand, and rolling out the red carpet not only show your true character and integrity, it makes a big difference and makes you feel great!
 
7. Friday Night Lights: One of the best things about Back to School is the Friday night football game! The sights, the smells (not the team), the Pep Band, the warm, yet crisp fall air, the announcer's voice and cheers echoing through "'da house", with big stadium lights that beam up to the stars ... there is nothing better!
 
6.    Homecoming: Pep rallies, bonfires, parades, floats, hallway decorations, powder puff, dress up days, the big game, class pride, school pride, and hopefully ... a little ease up of homework to help you enjoy the festivities! There's something for everyone during Homecoming! Go, Team!  
5. Eat, Drink, and be Merry: Fall and "Back to School" boasts some of the BEST eatin' this side of the holidays: From Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Cider (hot or cold, take your pick) to Halloween candy and the school cafeteria desserts, fall snacks and beverages are the perfect segue to THE BEST eating day of the year: Thanksgiving!
4. Keep Calm and Carry On ... Carry the Backpack, that is: We all know that homework is the one constant of school we "love to hate", but let's face it: We go to school to learn, grow, and decide in what direction we want our lives to take. We secretly love the challenges of an AP class, the English class novel that, admittedly, looks interesting, the gym class that has ballroom dancing in the curriculum, to the fact that your crush is in two of your classes ... homework never looked so good ... which leads us to ...
 
3.    SCHOOL SUPPLIES! Nobody wants to admit they "geek out" over new school supplies! NEW notebooks, NEW pencils, NEW EVERYTHING! Accessories for backpacks, lockers, phones! Stickers, key chains, colored pencils, graphic calculators ... the works! One can definitely "max out" at Office Max! (no endorsement intended or implied - ha!)
 
2.    NEW CLOTHES! We all know that with new clothes ring in the new school year! Admit it ... you've been planning your "Back to School Wardrobe" since the Fourth of July! The latest school fashions are exciting, hip, happenin', and now ... that is, until you "get real" and pull out the familiar, yet comfy, jeans, over sized sweatshirts and sweaters, Uggs, tennis shoes, pajama pants and Badgers/Packers gear. 

1. The Clean Slate: A New Chapter, A New Start ... the slate's all clean. Go out and re-invent yourself! Set a goal - (a S.M.A.R.T. goal: specific, measureable, achievable, realistic, timely). Goal ideas: raise your grades, join a new club or activity, extend your friend group, connect with a teacher or staff member, volunteer/serve, join student council, spend time with your siblings or grandparents, take in the amazing fall colors ... a new school year means you can start again and grow even more!
 
    It's been a summer to remember! Take these Top 10 Perks, and make your "Back to School" a year to remember! 

-Patti Lynch

Patti Lynch is a middle school teacher, student council adviser, and friend to all at Whitefish Bay. When she's not teaching she's tearing up the hockey rink. Patti is also responsible for co-designing the leadership curriculum used at Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp sponsored by Rotary International District 6250 as well as counseling at the Wisconsin Association of School Council's(WASC) summer leadership camp. 

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