Every year college students look forward to summer break, the excitement and adventure it will bring. After all, without school deadlines and obligations to hold us back, why can't we go out and do whatever we want. However, if your summer ends up looking more like the list below, then just know that you are not alone.
1. Excitement
Finals are over, bags are packed and a break with endless possibilities is just a drive or flight away. This is, by far, the best part of the year!
2. Enthusiasm
You're home and you can do whatever you want now. You might be working, but you still have plenty of time afterwards.
3. Realization
You've been home for a couple of weeks now and you start to notice that all you do is work, watch Netflix and sleep. Like you do at school.
4. Disappointment
What happened to all of the plans you had for break? It's already half over and you haven't done anything yet. Except work. You've done a lot of that.
5. Acceptance
So all of your great summer plans fell through. It doesn't mean that the break is a total loss. You can still make a bunch of money at work, right?
6. Disappointment (Again)
But soon you realize all the money you're earning is going to bills, food, etc. If you're lucky, then you might have $20 saved by the time you go back to school.
7. Loneliness
Once you accept the futility of both your summer plans and trying to make some money, you will begin to miss your friends from school. When you are at your university they are just a text message away from hanging out. And now there are miles between you.
8. Boredom
Now that it has registered that your summer is going nowhere close to the way you planned it, the boredom sets in. You're routine hasn't changed all summer and the most fun you've had was at a Fourth of July barbecue.
9. Anticipation
You can't believe it, but you're actually getting excited about the idea of going back to school. Once you're there you'll be able to whatever you want. No more obligations or anything.
10. Excitement (Again)
Work is over, bags are packed and a semester with endless possibilities is just a drive or flight away, plus you get to see your friends again. This is, by far, the best part of the year!
There you have it, the stages of summer for most college students. If you happen to be one of those individuals who is constantly at the beach, going on adventures or traveling to exotic locales during the warmer months, then please let me know how you do it.
