The promise of the first day of school

Isn't the first day of school fantastic? You get up early enough to eat breakfast, work out and shower. You pack your new books carefully in your bag; you write down your class schedule with reverence. Who knows? Maybe this is the semester you will be a good student. You will do your readings on time. You will have an innate understanding of the subject material.

Generally, one month in, I have misplaced my books, played freecell during my classes, and worn jeans and the same sweatshirt for days on end. But on that first day, I always think that this is the semester I can turn it around.