Think for a second: Remember in high school, that crazy anticipation that came every year as the last few weeks of class before summer rolled through? From freshman to senior year, our days were spent waking up at an ungodly hour, sitting idly in a classroom during peak hours of the day and awaiting weekends to have actual plans. Summer was like the promised land; our giant, endlessly sunny weekend, free of responsibility and authority. Then, college came.
Ah, sweet college. You're thinking about it right now. But it's summer, why do you miss school more than this exact moment? More than that wild weekend you just had? It's because nothing beats the perfect synergy that happens when you're away at school. Let's break it down:
1. Summer jobs and internships feel like harder work than class.
Once you hit college, wasting the day away at the beach for those 8-10 weeks becomes a thing of the past. You're expected to sign up for that initially exciting, but ultimately annoying internship to throw down on that resume. You haven't sat still for so long since high school, so it's practically like reliving that less enjoyable piece of your past.
At least in college, you go to class for an hour and twenty minutes, then hit the sack and nap 'til it's time for your next class. There's no nap time at your new internship, what's that about?
2. You hang with your friends much more frequently during school.
Even if it's not scheduled hanging out time--they're always there. It's almost weird when you think about it. You're brushing your teeth, there's a friend. Walking to get food, and there they are again. The first thing you see every morning when you roll over and open your eyes? Friend. Well, unless you had a crappy roommate situation.
When you're home, your not jump-starting your social life from bed, moments after waking up. If you want to see people, more often than not you've got to have a thing to do and a place to go. Especially since it's that friend from high school that you haven't talked to in--er, how long?--and you don't want it to be awkward. Let's not even get into the hassle of traveling to see your college friends over the summer.
3. You spend much more money during the summer.
Really though, where's my meal plan? I have no clue what I want to eat and I'm not used to deciding anymore. Where's my all-day buffet that has 25 different options?
At home, you can't go to Applebees and get pasta, a salad, ice cream, a waffle, and cereal--in that order. I mean, you can try, but it will probably cost a fortune. Paying for so many meals a day out-of-pocket creates a steep decrease of funds. Plus, all the house parties at home are BYOB, and you haven't paid for a bottle in ages.
4. You get much more freedom from authority at college.
During high school, we spent all day, every day being nagged by teachers, and then went home to be nagged--I mean, lovingly coddled--by parents. We were given one nice, rejuvenating eight-hour break each day--sleeping.
At college, your parents are nowhere to be found. Well, except "a phone call away" in Dad's words. But that works fine. Professors could not care less about your personal life, so basically you're home free to do what you want without the uncomfortable interrogation and condescension.
Once you return from school, the gray area is infinite. Compromising with your parents becomes incredibly hard and confusing. It usually goes a little something like this:
You: "Mom, there's a party tonight so Kayla's picking me up."
Mom: "What? Who's Kayla? No-ugh, you can only go if you're home by 1."
You: "I came home at 4am every night at college, the difference is you'd never know!"
5. Day-drink season and football tailgates get the outdoor vibes going in the off-seasons.
This has become your favorite way to enjoy the outdoors and nice weather. Forget laying out, going on a run, or the beach; this has become your ideal sunny day well spent. It hardly matters that it's fall or spring, and the heat isn't as grabbing--it's perfect. That vodka blanket never fails to keep you warm.
6. You can walk everywhere at school, taking more advantage of the weather.
There's so many opportunities to enjoy the weather, too. In the summer, where can you really walk to? That semi sketchy convenience store on the corner, perhaps? Or maybe the neighborhood playground where all the 15-year-olds go to get a little risque? ...Pass.
At school, you walk to class, the dining hall, the student center, the book store, the coffee shop, the frat house, and onward. You're like an olympic athlete with those legs by the end of every semester.
7. Nothing exciting happens with your crush from school over the summer.
You probably thought summer would be a good time to take your mind off him. Wrong! Being idle most of the time has driven you crazy with thoughts and memories you both had.
Maybe you keep in touch once every few weeks... via Snapchat. It's not the same as being at school and spontaneously running into him here and there. Let's face it, any summer fling with that kinda weird guy from your high school won't beat the saga you've created with your college crush.
8. You go out much less during the summer.
"So who wants to go out tonight?" "I can't I'm working" "I have Crossfit in the morning" "I'll go but I can't drink because I have to drive my mom to the doctor in the morning" "Uh, I'm already in bed"-- this isn't unusual conversation in your group chat when you're home.
At school, it was like--"Oh, it's Tuesday? Let's go out!" "I'm already dressed, I'm practically there!" And it was true; you showed up and the whole squad was right there with you, no questions asked.
Plus, it's just different in your town when you go out. The energy's not as perfect. The music isn't as good. The people aren't as intoxicated. And if they are, they're already getting sick in the corner while their friend calls a cab. How many days 'til move in, again?
9. …and you also never need a ride, which makes going out a lot easier.
Pretty self-explanatory. Driving under the influence is not cool. At home, you can't walk to the bar or party, so you'll need a ride. If you can't get a ride, you're crashing at the pub in your local bar town next to the sweaty motorcycle guy or paying for a cab with that credit card that you maxed out on non-dining hall food. Good luck with that one.
10. Your college residence is kind of like your summer home. It's kind of your space, but it's also kind of not.
Your space, your responsibility. Your home, your mess. But it's not totally your home--we're really just temporary, you know. So, if it gets a little teeny tiny bit trashed, you won't feel as guilty. Accidents happen, and that bottle of OJ you spilled last month is one of them. Again, not totally your space, so not totally your responsibility.
Try spilling that same OJ on your carpet at home, and I can guarantee your mom won't have the same outlook as you.
