When the school year ends that means no more finals, papers, projects, presentations, or that nasty school food. It means a life of warm weather, home cooked meals, sleeping in, and lying in bed all day watching movies. Life is good for college students, well, after they go through the post semester depression anyway...
Stage 1: Denial
Yes, this one is the same as the stages of grief, but it is very prominent in post semester life as well. It starts right before the semester ends. You know the semester is coming to a close. The excitement for no more tests, papers and finals consumes your mind, even though in the back of your head you know that it not going to be all that it is cracked up to be. You know your friends are leaving and that you will not see some of them until August and that others graduated. However, you think the summer will fly by and that you are going to never get bored and have excitement all the time. You think you can handle it; you think it is going to be no big deal.
Sage 2: Sudden Realization
And then it hits you like a ton of bricks. The second you leave school for the summer, the sudden realization that you will not see most of your friends for months fills you up and you just start balling your eyes out. Maybe you already realized this, but it is going to be a long summer.
Stage 3: The "Maybe This Won't Be So Bad" Stage
Summer has started and you need so much rejuvenating that all you want to do it lay in your bed, alone, and watch movies. This will last about two weeks. Life will be good during this time.
Stage 4. Boredom Strikes
June, for me anyway, is painfully long because usually nothing exciting happens until July and August. June is the awkward month where you will be rejuvenated, but have nothing to do and actually wish you were as busy as you were when school was still in session. But don't worry you will love being home for the last two months of the summer.
5. Depression Hits
July and August are great because you finally have a system to your summer to make it less dull and more exciting. You may be busy with your summer job, hanging out with friends from high school or even getting together with some friends from college who live close by. You love being home again and you love not having school work. But then school starts again. You will be excited to go back, but really sad to leave your home, your own bed, home cooked meals, friends from home and family. Then you have to go back to papers, disgusting school food, and getting up early.
Well, that is the college summer life cycle for you. It just comes with the territory. Hopefully, you will love every second of it.
