I think one of the hardest things I had to get used to my freshman year was being away from my home and family for such long periods of time. Getting through the year was tough, but I obviously did it, and I am now on to being a sophomore! Last week was my first full week of summer break and here are 12 things I did, and am pretty sure most students like me, did too:
1. You collapse on your bed for the first few hours.
It's been hard being away from something so comfortable for so long. But, after a lot of long, sleepless nights in uncomfortable dorm beds, you've finally made it back together.
2. Burn (or throw away) any and all schoolwork.
Get rid of any evidence of last semester. Looking at past work only brings up memories of stress and all-nighters. It's summer! You don't need any of that in your life.
3. You try to spend time with your siblings.
It's been weird being away from them for so long, so it's important to make an effort to 'make up for lost time'. You start going to the movies together, shopping, parks, etc.
4. Until you realize that yes, you may have loved and missed them, but they're still annoying.
You can't hang out and live with someone all the time without getting annoyed. But that's what siblings are for, I guess.
5. You try (and succeed) in eating all the good food in your pantry.
I mean all of it. Give your stomach some slack, you've probably been without good food for most of the school year so it's time to get crackin' (get it?) on fruit, snack food, and everything your cafeteria didn't serve.
6. And you cook everything you missed cooking.
Eggs, butter noodles, all that good stuff that you can cook on stoves, in toasters or ovens, are things you'll catch up on this week.
7. Make a summer bucket list that you promise to yourself to complete.
And you'll probably get a little impossible with it, but that's okay. It gives you something to do this summer.
8. Find a summer job.
This is priority #1!!! And knowing you, being all productive and stuff, you probably applied for jobs before you came home and have a few interviews lined up. But, if by any chance you don't, get on those applications ASAP!
9. Check for your grades online at least ten times every hour.
This habit ends after the first week, but we all get obsessed with checking for our final grades since we have no idea what the outcome could be.
10. You wonder what you did at home before you went away to college.
I went to movies…. shopping…. and uh…. bowling?
11. And then you realize…absolutely nothing.
If you're from a relatively small town or suburb, you know the struggle of having such limited options for things to do. It sucks. And it makes you so much more thankful for everything you have to do on campus.
12. So you make a countdown until move in day for your next semester.
Summer break can take it's time, though. It's nice having nothing to do and no commitments for a little while. But also, don't take too long. I have a beautiful campus to get back to.
