By: Ewadairo Christianah Opeyemi
The idea of resumption can be traumatic for many students. Resumption is more than simply going back to school; it can genuinely feel overwhelming. While excitement often comes with returning to campus, it can also be accompanied by nervousness. Some students may feel afraid to leave the comfort of their homes and return to the social and behavioural expectations that come with school life. They may also feel anxious about adjusting to a new schedule and routine. There are several reasons behind these feelings.
After spending weeks at home in relative comfort, students are suddenly expected to return to a structured environment filled with academic and social expectations. The excitement of seeing friends again may still be there, but it is often mixed with nervousness. Some students struggle with the idea of leaving home, while others worry about how they will cope with the routine and demands of school life again.
One of the biggest reasons behind this feeling is academic pressure. Many students return to school with the fear of failing or not performing well enough. This pressure often begins almost immediately after resumption, with students feeling the need to start serious reading within the first few weeks.
As resumption approaches, students begin to think about how to improve their CGPA. At the same time, those who performed well feel the pressure to maintain their grades. This constant need to either improve or maintain performance can make resumption feel like a burden. For students who struggle despite their efforts, the pressure can become emotionally exhausting.
Students also have to readjust to campus realities. Long hours in the library, sometimes studying until daybreak, are followed by early lectures. Daily routines change as well. At home, meals may come regularly, but at school some students may struggle to eat even once a day.
Hostel life presents its own challenges. Returning to a room shared with four or six people, fetching water, cooking with a stove, and dealing with other aspects of communal living can feel stressful. For students who have grown used to the comfort of home during the break, adjusting again can feel overwhelming.
Financial strain is another major factor that makes resumption feel traumatic. Many students struggle with the cost of books, transportation, and other living expenses. Because of this, some students combine work with their studies, while others try to sell items on campus just to meet their basic needs.
In some cases, students feel unable to ask their families for additional support. Instead, they are left to figure things out on their own. When financial struggles are combined with academic expectations, resumption can begin to feel like returning to hardship.
In the end, the thought of resuming school can feel traumatic because of the combination of academic pressure, financial difficulties, and the sudden return to a demanding routine. When these factors come together, what should be a fresh start for a new academic period can instead feel like stepping back into stress. Understanding these challenges is important. When students acknowledge these pressures and find ways to manage them, the transition back to school can become less stressful, turning anxiety into motivation rather than fear.
