Google the words “clean slate,” and you’ll be met with plenty of synonymous and equally optimistic phrases like “fresh start,” “new beginning,” and “start again in a new way.” But how exactly do all of these vague ideas come together into action? What do people really mean when they say they are wiping the slate clean? Does it mean starting from scratch, whether it be at a new school or a new job? Can it mean setting new intentions, from workout goals to career goals? Or can it be as simple as a state of mind? We think it can be all of the above and more. And what better time to embrace a clean slate, a fresh start, and a new beginning than the month of September? A brand new school year always gives you the perfect opportunity to start again in a new way.
Whether you’re a freshman moving into your very first dorm room or a senior heading back to school one last time, think of your campus as the optimal canvas for your clean slate. Freshman year is basically the definition of a clean slate—a new school, new friends, and a new (and not-so-ideally sized) living space. These all offer the perfect opportunity to reinvent your personal style, adopt a new routine, or try new things from Greek Life to an a cappella group (cue Pitch Perfect).
But freshmen aren’t the only ones who get a clean slate come September. The first month back on campus is a blank canvas waiting for you to make a new mark no matter if you’re a sophomore, junior, or senior. The options when it comes to making changes are endless. Commit to cutting down on your weekly caffeine consumption, work toward living a more eco-friendly life, or take up the practice of keeping a daily journal. We challenge you to resist from settling back into the same routine and to push yourself out of your comfort zone in pursuit of new opportunities.
Personally, I’ll be using my senior year clean slate as a chance to try something new. A I may even try out for one of my school’s musicals to revisit my bygone days of dance and musical theater one last time before I hit the real world. Because, yes, you can still find new opportunities on campus even as a senior. And with any luck (and a lot of willpower), maybe I’ll be able to kick my iced coffee addiction, too.
So let’s welcome September, our clean slate, with open arms and big ambitions. A focus on making the most of a month of new beginnings, new opportunities, and discovering the best version of ourselves is the perfect way to kick off the new school year with a fresh perspective.
Our letters from the editor are written by College Fashionista editorial fellows to help us define and welcome in the theme of the month. How are you going to use your clean slate this September?
Opening collage by Geordon Wollner
