Ah, the smell of freshly sharpened pencils, the sound of locker doors slamming, and the eternal struggle of finding your classroom on the first day... It can only mean one thing: it's time to return to school after the holidays. But fear not, fellow students and warriors of the academic battlefield. We have the best remedy for the "back-to-school blues:" memes! From the excitement of parents and the solemn look on their kids' faces to the first-day brain fog students can't seem to avoid, these memes capture the rollercoaster of emotions that come with the transition from lounging by the pool to struggling to stay awake during a lecture.
1. The Fun Starts Now
Kids might get their time from rest during the summer, but for parents, relaxation begins the moment their children go back to school. Honestly, it's the parent's version of a grand vacation, a tropical paradise without leaving the living room. No more planning entire days worth of activities or negotiating disputes between siblings with their eternal "he started it" debates. At least now they get eight hours of well-deserved rest.
Taking care of four children seems like a stressful responsibility. No wonder this mom looks so thrilled to start enjoying a peaceful day in the pool with her sunglasses on and a beer in her hand.
2. So Evil…
While we always encourage responsible and good-natured fun, let's face it: a little harmless prank can kickstart the school year with some laughter! Besides, this next prank is absolutely genius. Imagine you're sitting in class, quietly giggling to yourself, waiting for your practical joke to work. And then, it finally happens! Someone decides to print out an Excel spreadsheet, and the printer goes absolutely insane.
It’s safe to say that unsuspecting classmates or teachers who attempt to print this document are in for a weird and frustrating surprise… Of course, always ensure your pranks won't cause any real inconvenience.
3. An Unlikely Student
Back-to-school season isn’t just for the little kids starting their first day of elementary school. Sure, the youth often takes center stage during this season, and there's an unfortunate stigma attached to adults who choose to start their higher education journey later in life. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Let's break free from these limiting stereotypes, shall we? After all, age is just a number, and the pursuit of knowledge knows no bounds!
Look at this man with perhaps a few silver strands but a golden smile, armed with a wealth of life experience and a burning curiosity. Isn't this an awe-inspiring sight?
4. Essentials Only
Back-to-school season isn’t just a moment of thrill and happiness for students and their families. Sure, little kids and their parents might treasure this moment, but let’s not forget about the older students! By this point, they have practically turned stress into an art form, mastered the fine balance between caffeinated desperation and sleep-deprived enlightenment, and memorized every nook in the school library with an electrical outlet.
As the 'back to school' season rolls around, these veterans of academia could use a shot to unwind. If you wondered who this aisle is aimed at, it’s definitely at them!
5. Bye, Bye Andy
There's something undeniably heartwarming about parents going all out to create a memorable photoshoot for their kids' first day of school. It’s like they are trying to savor all the precious moments of their little one’s childhood and keep them forever. And it’s even better when they go the extra mile to create a magical moment out of something ordinary. For example, this tear-inducing back-to-school photo was inspired by Toy Story.
There's some nostalgia in this scene, like an echo of the parents' own childhood memories. You can almost hear the excitement as the shutter clicks, capturing a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
6. Not Ready
Some kids just aren't ready to let go of the carefree days of summer and trudge back to school. For them, the mere mention of early morning alarms and homework assignments can send shivers down their spines. In all fairness, the dropping temperatures outside don’t really help. But still, these young rebels have perfected the art of clinging to the summer, even if it means staging a dramatic tantrum.
But let's be honest, can we really blame this kid? The allure of endless sunshine, water balloon fights, and ice cream truck melodies is hard to resist.
7. A Confusing Time for Everyone
Do you feel like the students take the worst part of going back to school? Actually, teachers also struggle during this time of the year. Brain fog can get in the way and mess up entire classes. Just take, for instance, the case of this college professor, renowned for their scholarly prowess. On the first day of school, he completely forgot that their classes had transitioned to the digital realm.
In the end, he was informed of this, but not before he had already sent a furious email to their students, berating them for missing class and disregarding their academic duties.
8. Not All Siblings Are the Same
Isn't it fascinating how even siblings cut from the same genetic cloth can be as different as chalk and cheese right from their earliest days? Take the first day of school for this pair of siblings. One of them is bubbling with boundless enthusiasm, eagerly dons their backpack, practically bouncing to the bus stop, ready to conquer kindergarten and make a million new friends. But the other doesn’t want anything to do with school.
They hate school so much that their backpack feels like a ball and chain, and they'd rather wrestle an alligator in a swamp than go through the school gates.
9. Above the Law
We get it; teachers have to make sure that kids are actually learning when they answer a test, but there’s no need to ask weird questions that don’t really make any sense. “Why are your answers the same?” That’s just silly… It's almost as if they're secretly testing your creativity by challenging you and your classmates to come up with entirely different interpretations of the same question.
We actually think it would be more concerning if everyone wrote completely different answers. Still, this doesn’t mean that we condone any kind of cheating! So, next time, try to stand out with your answers.
10. First-Day Shenanigans
If you’re a parent, you know that after the morning routine with the kids, you have the house to yourself. As you wave the children goodbye and the school bus disappears around the corner, the only thing you can imagine is sipping that now-hot coffee, binge-watching your favorite shows, or maybe even sneaking in a well-deserved nap. That is, of course, if you don’t get a text from your kid’s teacher…
Imagine checking your phone and seeing a message from the teacher. Panic sets in. Did someone forget their lunch? Is there an emergency? Nope, your kid just tried to eat a turtle…
11. Beer-Pong Time!
At this time, college students also need to get ready to return to class. Their backpacks get stuffed with textbooks, and their dorm rooms become adorned with posters and string lights. Still, there's one essential element that truly signifies the return of college life: beer pong. It's not just a game; it's a rite of passage and a tradition that binds students together in the hallowed halls of their dorms.
Does anything scream “college” like a room filled with enthusiastic undergrads chatting and laughing, cups arranged in a triangle, and ping-pong balls soaring through the air like tiny, tipsy comets?
12. Happiness Overload
Kids and teachers might not be excited to go back to school, but their parents sure are! They seize this time of the year to rediscover the joys of uninterrupted showers, indulging in leisurely cups of coffee, and even sneaking a few guilt-free episodes of their favorite TV shows. Even grocery shopping suddenly turns into a fun adventure without the presence of a tiny goblin pleading for sugary cereals or snack aisle detours.
It’s almost like a dream come true, the house stays tidy for more than five minutes, and the cleaning supplies can take a well-deserved break. At least until 4 o’clock…
13. Resistance Is Futile
Picture this: the sun is still high in the sky, kids are sleeping late from staying all day in the pool, and the smell of sunscreen lingers in the air. It’s like the world outside the window is full of endless adventures. But suddenly, you see something lurking ominously on the school grounds, like a sign out of a sci-fi thriller: "School starts on September 4th. Resistance is futile."
Resistance may seem futile, but oh, how we try! The countdown to that fateful date becomes a race against time, and students desperately attempt to cram in one more summer adventure…
14. Don’t Lie!
It’s not easy to make friends in school. You have to get creative to make other kids like you, and that’s when the playground turns into a place where young imaginations run wild. It’s like every kid is in a perpetual competition for the title "Most Creative Storyteller." I mean, who hasn't heard the classic gem: "My uncle? Oh, he's totally one of the Power Rangers!"
But what’s even worse is that most of the time, we believed these absurd stories. Then, we would tell our parents the hot gossip and watch them laugh at our ingenuity.
15. First Days Are Rough
The first day of school, especially for our fun-sized scholars in elementary school, can be a wild adventure that can feel almost like a wild expedition in the jungle. First, their pleasant sleep gets interrupted by a rude alarm clock, and suddenly, they're thrust into the whirlwind of backpacks, new shoes, and an intimidating yellow bus. Not to mention, they also face the anxious anticipation of meeting new teachers and classmates.
By the time they reach home, it's as if they've just emerged from a glorious but exhausting expedition. They're roughed up, their hair's a mess, and they've got the sleepiest look in their eyes.
16. Weren’t You Smart?
Kids often see their parents as these all-knowing beings, capable of answering any question that pops into their curious little minds. "Why is the sky blue?" they ask. "How do birds fly?" they wonder. And parents, with their infinite wisdom, do their best to provide explanations. But there comes a time when a child asks something like, "Do dragons fart fire?” and parents find themselves in a conundrum.
Dragons can be a true mystery. Sure, we marvel at their fire-breathing prowess, but can we know if they ever let out a fiery toot? Maybe this question will never be solved.
17. Like Father, Like Daughter
Here’s another grown-up who decided to steal the back-to-school spotlight from children with a funny twist. This time, this adult student is starting their academic journey at the same time as their little daughter! Of course, they had to take a picture together to commemorate the event. However, they don’t look too thrilled. We can almost picture a proud mom on the other side of the cámara, asking the duo to put on a smile.
Unfortunately for her, this was the best take. The dad and his daughter begrudgingly standing on their porch with their backpacks and lunchboxes, both sporting expressions that scream, "Do we really have to do this?"
18. A Different Kind of Picture
Ah, the season of 'first-day-of-school' pictures, where our social media feeds turn into a gallery of tiny humans donning oversized backpacks and big smiles. We've seen it all: kids with chalkboard signs announcing their current, obligatory front-door shots, and obligatory parental excitement that seems to say, "We survived summer break!" Most of them are cute to death, but these pictures can get pretty tiring after a while.
Don't get us wrong; we adore these pint-sized scholars and their infectious enthusiasm. But it’s also nice to see some diversity like this man going to work for the 9,445th time!
19. Just One Pen?!
While the idea of bringing medieval weapons to class might seem like the plot of a wacky time-traveling sitcom, you never know when you might need to get out of a tricky situation. In these cases, having something to defend yourself can be crucial. What if a dragon decided to attack your school or someone challenged you to a sword duel? You need to be prepared for everything.
So, we don’t think is that weird to have an axe on your backpack. However, we would be worried if you only brought one pen with you!
20. Keep One in Your Backpack!
Perhaps the most difficult time of the 'back-to-school' season is doing the shopping for all the supplies you or your kids will need for that year. Arriving at your neighborhood store, armed with a shopping list packed with back-to-school essentials, it can feel a bit overwhelming to be surrounded by textbooks, pencils, and notebooks everywhere. Fortunately, this store has a section to see all the supplies you need in one rack!
The universe has an odd sense of humor, or perhaps an oblivious store employee has unintentionally added a new classroom essential. Maybe a pregnancy test can helps out when math class just gets too confusing!
21. Confusing Behavior
What is the weirdest part of going back to class? For us, it’s definitely the moment we have to put on our best Oscar-worthy, toothy grins for the infamous 'back to school' pictures. It's like we're rehearsing for real life, where, let's be honest, everyone's out there faking their emotions like pros. We're standing there in our crisp uniforms, thinking if our fake smiles are good enough to fool our mom’s Facebook friends.
As we strike our best "I'm thrilled to be back" pose for that camera, we wonder when it will end. Honestly, it almost feels like we’re aliens trying to figure out how human emotions work…
22. Life's Good!
People who don’t have kids just don’t appreciate their free time as much as those who are parents. They might not understand why someone would be so happy that their children return to school…. Here’s the deal. In this golden period, moms and dads savor the freedom to do things they couldn’t do before, like have adult conversations without constant interruptions about homework, missing socks, or the urgent need for a juice box refill.
If they feel frisky, they might even contemplate the unthinkable: a spontaneous mid-week date or an afternoon nap without the fear of Lego landmines awaiting their unsuspecting feet.
23. A Kind Request
There are many reasons why students absolutely hate school. For starters, there’s the looming threat of early morning alarms, the eternal struggle of dragging oneself out of a cozy bed, and the thought of trading PJs for actual pants… all of which can send shivers down their spines. Admit it, you, too, would rather binge-watch a show on Netflix, master the last video game, or simply enjoy the underrated pleasure of doing absolutely nothing.
However, while going back to school can be no fun, that doesn’t mean students should go as far as wanting to get hit by a car! Try thinking of the positive things too.
24. Just in Case
We should be grateful to live in a time when we can rely on technology to help us out. It’s just amazing to see how much we’ve improved as a society but also how much we now rely on our devices for even the most basic things. For example, in class, we sometimes resort to our trusty calculators for pretty much everything, even a simple math problem.
So, why do we do this? It’s kind of sad to think that we don’t trust our thinking as much, but it’s also kind of reassuring to know our calculator can always help us out.
25. The Best Classmates
In a world that has long dictated what's "appropriate" attire based on one's gender, these young fashion-forward warriors are shaking the status quo with a swirl of pleats and a flash of defiance. It might not seem like much, but wearing their skirts is like waving a flag of solidarity, showing their school that they stand alongside their female friends, sisters, and classmates in the fight for equality.
They truly deserve a round of applause… It’s like they're saying, "Hey, clothing doesn't define our worth or capabilities, and believe it or not, it’s the same for our classmates of the opposite gender!”
26. Time Flies
Do you remember what your life was like when you were a kid? Back in kindergarten, the biggest challenge was perhaps mastering the art of tying shoelaces. If only we could turn back time and go back to when we were wide-eyed 5-year-old kids sporting backpacks almost our size, ready to step into a world of alphabet blocks and crayons. Today, our lives are probably nothing like they used to, but one thing stays the same.
If you’re a college student, you’re probably navigating the labyrinth of academia, juggling responsibilities, and nailing your online lectures and research, yet, somehow, everything feels like that first day of kindergarten.
27. Getting In Trouble
Oh, the dreaded first day of school. Sure, it can be a fresh start, a new chapter on our academic journey... yet, somehow, it’s like trouble always finds a way to sneak into the equation and ruin our plans of having the perfect day. Does the universe have a cosmic taste for bad pranks? Or does it just want to ruin our school debuts? We’ll never know.
But hey, maybe this is all part of the grand adventure, right? Who wants a flawless start when you can have a memorable one filled with stories to share and laugh about for years to come?
28. You’re a Grown-Up
If you’re over forty and you’ve decided to pursue a higher education degree, you might have noticed that college is nothing like they show in the movies. Stepping onto campus at forty can feel like crash-landing on a distant planet populated by creatures half your age. All of a sudden, you’re surrounded by beings that seem surgically attached to their smartphones. And let's not even talk about fashion…
While all of us 80s kids are sporting our 'dad bods,' the youngsters are flaunting the latest trends fresh off Instagram, with their green juices and snatched looks.
29. Nothing Is Scarier Than School
If you think about it, 'back-to-school' season and Halloween have a lot in common. Sure, we all have fond memories of our school days, but let's be honest; they can be a bit spine-tingling. The impending deadlines, pop quizzes, and the daunting early morning alarms... it's enough to send chills down your spine. And just when you thought you were safe, there’s always the fear of forgetting your homework at home.
It’s not surprising that this store decided to combine the two events on their aisles. Back-to-school season can be downright terrifying, and whoever set up this shelf knows it!
30. A Cosmic Joke
Going back to school can feel like a personal hell. It’s almost like your alarm clock becomes your personal nemesis, and every morning, it laughs at you as it yanks you from the comfort of your dreams. Still, students should know that it doesn’t matter if you hate with the fiery passion of a thousand suns. In the end, it's a force of nature that not even the most rebellious can escape.
So, grab your backpack, swing it onto your shoulders, and trudge towards the school bus or carpool ride. You might hate it, but you can't escape the gravitational pull of the educational system.
31. It’s Enough for a Year
As we have previously mentioned, students aren’t the only ones suffering the first-day blues. The back-to-school season can also be quite challenging for teachers, too. These underrated education heroes also experience their fair share of first-day jitters and stress. After all, it can be easy to stand in front of a room full of eager, expectant faces, like a live audience waiting for the grand performance to begin.
Then, there's the dreaded classroom nerves. Will the projector cooperate today? Will one of the kids throw a tantrum? And don't even get started on the labyrinth of administrative tasks like grading, meetings, and paperwork…
32. Life’s a Lie
Remember when we were kids and time capsules were practically time-traveling magic? It's almost comical to remember how we thought these containers of the past could hold the secrets of the universe. We would gather our prized possessions, perhaps a shiny rock, a Pokémon card, or our favorite toy, and bury them deep in the backyard or stash them behind the bookshelf for future generations to find.
It turns out that time capsules aren't the keys to time travel. However, they work as endearing reminders of our youthful enthusiasm and how much things change with time.
33. And the Years Go By…
Time, my friends, is a mischievous magician, disappearing faster than a handkerchief on a sleight of hand. One moment, you’re excitedly waiting to start your first day of kindergarten. Then, in a blink of an eye, you’re finishing your last day of high school. How does that happen? We can imagine the moment this family took the first picture, capturing the innocence and excitement of a happy child.
Flash forward to this day, and suddenly that little girl is all grown up. She has turned into a confident young woman ready to finish her high school education and conquer the world.
34. Bye, Bye Devices
Perhaps one of the worst things about going back to school is having to let go of all our favorite devices. Our iPads, with their world of cat videos, memes, and endless scrolling, must now rest in their charging cradle. And our beloved PlayStation, where the most epic battles and virtual victories take place, will have to take a back seat as we prepare for the real-life challenges of exams and essays.
Sure, this doesn’t mean that we can’t still use them from time to time. But we won’t have entire days trying to beat our new video games anymore.
35. Too Excited for the 1st Day
We know that it might seem like everyone hates going back to school after seeing these pics. But, surprisingly, that’s not always the case. Somewhere amidst the collective groans and sorrows of the 'back-to-school' season are those rare and mystical creatures known as the 'Back-to-School Enthusiasts.' Yes, you read that right. For these kids, the end of summer signifies more than just early morning alarms and homework…
Going back to school means reuniting with friends they haven't seen in months and the subjects they’re passionate about. Not to mention an opportunity to flaunt their brand-new school supplies!
36. Just Go Already
We don’t always realize, but the first day of school is a monumental moment in a child's life. This doesn’t mean the grown-ups can’t have a little fun too. For some parents, this time is also the perfect opportunity to unleash their inner prankster… As the sun peeks over the horizon and backpacks are filled to the brim with school supplies, some parents are plotting the most epic and playful surprises.
This dad decided a funny photoshoot was a good idea to start the school year. And he nailed it! It looks like everyone’s having a good time, and it will definitely confuse people on social media!
37. Know Your Customers
Have you ever wondered how retail stores like Walmart got to be so big? The key is simpler than you think. For starters, this store seems to have an uncanny understanding of its customers on a deep, almost telepathic level. If you stroll through one of their stores, you will notice their game. And now that the back-to-school season is upon us, Walmart knows exactly how to play it.
By offering these cool adult refreshments, Walmart is telling its customers, "We know you might need a break." It doesn’t matter if you’re a stressed parent or a college student.
38. Just Tired
No matter your age, your first day of school can bring out a world of emotions. For starters, you feel excitement, joy, and a little bit of fear of the unknown. You start your day as soon as the sun is barely up, and you put on your best outfit to conquer the world or at least your grade… However, even the most excited students might not be prepared for what the day brings.
By the time the final bell rings, these little scholars go back home battle-worn and weary. But they've also gained something invaluable—a day's worth of knowledge and newfound friends!
39. Please Help!
Picture this: you wake up, and it’s your first day at a new job. Of course, your heart is racing with a mixture of excitement and nerves. In fact, you feel so excited and nervous that even dressing yourself up feels like an impossible task. Your wardrobe feels like a “Where’s Waldo?” picture, but you’re trying to find a clean pair of socks. But don’t worry because a hero’s coming to the rescue!
Suddenly, your mom appears out of nowhere with a cartoon lunchbox and helps you get ready for this big day. Can you imagine just how awkward that situation would be?
40. No Class, Please
In the age of social media, it's easier than ever to share life's moments with the world. But here's a friendly reminder, folks: it's just not okay to post a picture of your kid crying on their first day of school, even if it's kind of funny. Sure, we can get that a staged photo can be strangely comical, but still, our little ones are learning about emotions and how to navigate this big, baffling world.
So, it’s not fair to make fun of them when they are at their most vulnerable. After all, would you like for your parents to expose you like this?