When did I get old enough not to go to school anymore?

I couldn’t be happier that day finally came that I could leave a school and never go back as a student, but it is still odd. I still refer to myself as a kid, which in some ways I am (like I often eat ice cream for dinner, I still put random things in my purse just to fill it out), but in other ways I’m not (like I’m married, have a full-time job, pay my own bills).

I know I’m still young, but sometimes I wonder how I got to be so old already. It’s crazy to realize that I’m the same age that my brothers were when I thought they were so adult-like and mature.

School was not very fun to me, so I was glad to put it behind me. I find it ironic, though, that I was most looking forward to finally not having the school schedule rule my life.

It still does for the most part. Working at the paper, the school activities throughout the year keep us busy. The schools and their sports provide a lot of content, so when school lets out for the summer, our news slows down.

Other groups also plan their schedules around school, causing them to have less events and less to cover. People plan vacations during the summer to keep from interfering with school, so it’s harder to reach people for information.

The school schedule still plays a large role in my life. This is the first time since about third grade that I was happy for school to start back.

Summer has always been my favorite time of year, and it still is, but I’m actually welcoming those school bells again.

A busy paper staff makes for a full paper, so we are happy to have school back in session today.

We hope we have another year of national merit finalists, educational programs, state champions, teacher recognition and more.

While I may not have enjoyed being a student, it’s much nicer returning to the school as a reporter. I don’t have to wake up as early, and I can come and go as I please, so school’s not so bad when you’re older.

It’s still odd when the summer ends, and all I have to worry about is my football picks instead of schedules, books and assignments.

Joy Haynes is a staff writer for the Hartselle Enquirer.