As many across the country head back to school in the coming weeks—or have already started—a new CivicScience survey uncovers how Americans feel about the transition. Based on responses from more than 2,000 U.S. adults, the data shows that 18% say they have the back-to-school blues, while 82% say they don’t (excluding those who answered unsure).
Unsurprisingly, Gen Z is the most likely to feel the blues, as they’re more likely to still be in school. Older age groups may experience them differently, often through their children’s return to class. Men are more likely than women to say they have back-to-school blues, along with high-income households earning $100K or more, and those living in cities.
But demographics aren’t the only thing setting the blues crowd apart:
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Music Choices: They’re over twice as likely as those without back-to-school blues to say social media influences the music they listen to.
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Upscale Dining: They’re more than five times as likely to eat at upscale restaurants weekly.
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Fashion: Nearly three-quarters follow fashion trends at least ‘somewhat’ closely.
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Cars: They’re twice as likely to own three or more cars.
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Sleep Schedule: They’re much more likely to wake up earlier on weekdays, before 6 AM.
Back-to-school blues may sound simple, but the data reveals they’re tied to broader lifestyle habits, from music and dining choices to sleep and style. For these Americans, the shift in season comes with more than just sharpened pencils; it shapes how they live day to day.
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This article’s data comes solely from CivicScience’s database, which contains nearly 700,000 poll questions and 5 billion consumer insights.