So Long, Summer! 13 Hilarious Back-to-School Memes Parents and Teachers Will Totally Understand
Updated Aug. 15 2022, 11:24 a.m. ET
Say goodbye to beach days, BBQs, and your local swim club because back-to-school is upon us. Yes, kids everywhere are racing to finish up their last-minute reading assignments while parents are out trying to find folders in specific colors the teacher requested (why must we search the ends of the earth for a lime green folder?). Meanwhile, teachers are organizing their lesson plans for the upcoming year (perhaps a bit too late).
In honor of the back-to-school season, we’re celebrating by rounding up our favorite memes that you can send to your friends, colleagues, and fellow parents. Whether you’re happy that the fall season is around the corner or sad that summer is officially over, we’ve got memes that will cover all of the complex emotions you’re currently feeling. Seriously, no matter your age, we can all relate!
Back-to-school memes for parents:
Let's face it, most parents are thrilled that their kids are going back to school. Why? Well, besides the countless activities that a parent needs to take part in to occupy their child's mind and the cash spent on summer camps, family trips to the local swim club, and more, sometimes parents just need a bit of a break. Here are some memes in honor of parents sending their kids back to school.
1. Stuck in the house with your kids?
Taking a three-month vacation with kids is probably how Matt Damon felt when he was stranded in space in The Martian.
2. Excitement and productivity can only last so long before Goldfish become a crutch.
That moment when you finally realize your vacation can begin now that the kids are back in class. You get so excited that you prepare a full-course meal featuring every food group for your youngin's lunch for a solid... few weeks.
3. Freedom!
That moment when you are no longer obligated to entertain the kids with fun-filled activities for eight to 12 hours per day... for three months.
4. There are always two types of kids...
When your youngest can't stop talking about heading back to school and you're secretly bribing your oldest with bigger Christmas gifts if they pass math this year.
5. Heading into summer versus the end of August.
Even Jennifer Garner knows the toll parenting takes on your body.
6. When your kids are begging to go back to school.
What type of parent are you? Are your kids ready to go back to school to see their friends?
7. Finding a new routine can be... difficult, to say the least.
We're still kids at heart, and we get that you don't want to set an example by waking up at 6:30 a.m. on a summer weekend. That's what your future schedule will look like. And when we say "future," we mean a couple of weeks from now.
Back to school memes for teachers:
Getting your lesson plans for the year ready, hoping that Brian (whom your co-worker warned you about) is not in your class this year, and soaking in your last full days of summer vacation is what teachers across America are most likely doing.
To help prepare you for the upcoming school year, we've rounded up a few memes that our favorite educators can relate to.
1. Not today, Satan!
That moment when you're being observed by a higher-up and Brian starts screaming in the middle of the lesson plan.
2. It's not as easy as it looks!
Making a seating chart is basically like solving the New York Times crossword puzzle.
3. Sunday scaries.
When your friends tell you that they have the "Sunday scaries" and you need to remind them that your vacation is about to be over until next June.
4. There are two types of teachers.
Some teachers are just a little bit more enthusiastic than others. Not all educators can have it all together, but what's important is pretending like you have it all together by the time the kids arrive. (Maybe Jen will let you borrow her fancy border tape.)
5. Back-to-school hits hard.
When the first week of school is over and you already are counting down the days until your next summer vacation begins.
6. Don't even ask.
The sad Will Smith meme is useful for so many situations, and back-to-school season is one of them. Forget bringing teacher's an apple, students should just bring them a Starbuck's coffee and a bottle of chardonnay.