Besides to giving birth, or buying and assembling an Ikea dresser, the first day of school is pretty much the most exhausting experience a human being goes through.

It’s a big deal! Your whole daily routine is disrupted. You have to go to a weird building and learn strange concepts like “math.” You’re forced to interact with people you wouldn’t otherwise be caught dead with. I definitely would not trade places with any kid.

In recent years, parents have updated the traditional “first day of school” photo by taking a second photo of their child upon returning home from school. The contrast is clear–and hilarious.

The whole thing really does a number on you.

1. “Hello darkness, my old friend.”

Photo Credit: Reddit

2. “They gave me a cubby hole. I am NOT ready for that kind of responsibility!”

Photo Credit: Reddit

3. “I need a juice box, man.”

Photo Credit: Bored
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4. “They made me…learn the alphabet!”

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5. You’re never too young for an existential crisis.

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6. When your parents take you out for a celebratory dinner, but all you wanna do is sleep.

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7. When nap time just cannot come soon enough.

Photo Credit: Imgur

8. For some kids, even the beginning of the first day of school is rough.

Photo Credit: Reddit

9. Going back for day two can be just as hard as coming home from day one.

Photo Credit: Imgur

10. For older kids, the first day back from summer vacation is tough, too.

Photo Credit: Imgur

11. “Maybe if I just hide under my backpack, they can’t take me to school.”

Photo Credit: Reddit

12. This little dude couldn’t even make it through his first day of school.

Photo Credit: Facebook

13. “There are HOW many more days of this? But I can’t even count that high!”

Photo Credit: Bored
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14. First day of school + long car ride home = nap town.

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15. Rest up. You’re gonna need it.

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h/t: Bored Panda