The rush of seeing familiar faces of friends you missed the whole summer, welcomes you. High fives, handshakes, fist-bumps and hugs are exchanged with los amigos. Reconnecting feels great.

Then you take a whiff. You smell that smelly smell that smells smelly. Is there a new equestrian class I was not made aware of? Sadly not, my riding boots will have to stay at home. Horses did not leave this stench behind; Ms. Shlachtman did. But seriously, thanks to everyone who put in tremendous effort beautifying the school. Although stinky, it’s nice to have the place looking so good.

The assault on our senses continues as we saunter into our first period classes. Us lucky Floridians get to go back to school in the intense heat of the summer and we dress accordingly (#chubbies). However, we are seriously unprepared when our fingers turn blue and we lose feeling in our feet. The temperature difference between the feeling of summer outside and frigid winter inside is extreme. Why are the classrooms so darned cold? Note to self: day two, bring a parka.

Get your blue or black ink ready, we’ve got a lot of signing to do. First comes the mound of syllabi (such a waste of paper). They all say the same exact thing. I don’t know about you, but after fifth grade my mom stopped reading them. Next comes the uniform and dress code policy, which only freshman adhere to. The student activities contract rounds out the pile of pointless paperwork.

Reality quickly sets in as the week progresses. I so look forward to the annual standing-in-the-never-ending-line-at-Staples-for-school-supplies event. Binders are organized, lined-paper is stocked up, let the homework begin. The peaceful days of summer are now just a fleeting memory. The Farkas freshman receive an early wake up call this year. Sophomores feel empowered because they’re no longer freshies. SAT and AP overload awaits the junior class as seniors get ready to tackle college apps.

As if navigating the school day and week isn’t hard enough, leaving campus — in one piece — is possibly the greatest challenge of all. It is mind-boggling how the DMV granted licenses to the horrendous drivers that make up Palmetto. The officers “directing” the flow only add to the chaos, creating a massive traffic jam. Time to join some after-school clubs and wait out the madness. Rush hour has begun.