– By Alana Caddell –

After many students and their parents took advantage of the tax-free weekend to stock up on school supplies, the end of summer was suddenly visible. Something about buying mechanical pencils made it final: school will be here before anyone is ready to be torn from his/her beach chair.

As much as most students dread the upcoming day, there are positives to diving into the world of academia. Where else could one be with friends five days a week for approximately seven hours a day? Also, learning new things has a certain charm to it, if one values knowledge. Extra-curriculars will start back, occupying many people. For a multitude of sports fans, Friday night football games will be a big plus.

The school year is on its way, whether students are excited or not, so an optimistic viewpoint is probably the best thing to have. That and time allotted to finish the summer homework that most people tried to avoid even thinking of as they stuck an umbrella in the sand. However, it’s time to trade the ocean for a classroom and make the best of all of the new knowledge. Excitement might even be appropriate, all things considered.