It's that time of year again.

Clothing stores are boasting the most stylish back-to-school fashion at the best prices. Discount stores are selling paper and pens for the lowest prices all year. Those same stores are hawking the "trendiest" dorm decorations.

Some students are looking forward to it and others are dreading the start of school.

For the first time in 19 years, I don't have to worry about it.

And that makes me a little sad.

I certainly won't miss sitting through class and studying. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for my education. It's just that some days I would have rather spent outside or curled up in my bed.

Besides, sitting in a class-like session doesn't stop once you graduate.

I experienced it again last weekend at a design seminar for work.

The course was held in an auditorium of my alma matter, the University of St. Thomas. It was like I had never left when I tried to balance a notebook, handouts and a cup of coffee on the tiny piece of wood they call a desk.

The seminar was actually a good experience, but I don't think I'll miss attending class.

Later that night, I met up with college friends at a hangout close to campus. Even though most of us have graduated we still talked about things that happened at school. My friends ordered the same drinks and yelled out a request for their favorite song.

After spending the night with them, it seemed that it would always be this way. That when September rolls around, I would be seeing them on a regular basis. That we would hang out on the weekends.

One of my friends and I were talking about how strange it was that we wouldn't be coming back to school. Mostly, we were going to miss going out on the weekends and spending time at "The House," where some good friends live.

Some of them still live there and we stopped by there Saturday night. But it wasn't the same.

In one short summer, we ended up in different places and new stages of life that had changed our perspectives.

So I drove home this weekend, knowing that the college part of my life is officially over.

But I think I'll still feel a little out of it when the leaves start changing and the weather cools off.

One of the best parts about the new school year was the feeling that you could start from scratch. Somehow those blank notebooks and crisp folders made you feel like this year was going to be different. That you would stay on top of your assignments. That you would make more friends. That you would find a date for the Homecoming dance.

Of course, things never turned out as planned. A few new opportunities would pop up throughout the year, but most days would seem the same.

But I'll still miss feeling like anything was possible.

This year, fall will be a season just like any other.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail at cari.quam@austindailyherald.com