As the end of any academic year draws to a close, the arrival of summer could not seem any more blissful. When you’re a college student, it seems like after a tumultuous year of clutching homework assignments and cramming for midterms that your nearly three months of summer ought to be spent lounging on a beach and sleeping in.

For many college students, including myself, this isn’t even halfway true.

First of all, I cannot even fathom how college students manage going from the end of one semester in the spring to taking classes over the summer. Although I most likely will end up doing the same thing in the years to come, I opted out of it this year. With that, I have endless admiration for those with the resilience to continue their academics into the hot summer months. Honestly, props to you.

However, the summer months are very valuable if you are in college. The way I see it, this is the most time I will ever have for the next few years to get back in shape and make as much money as possible.

So what have I been doing? Recently, I’ve been balancing a new job in fast food with trying to stay physically active. It would be an understatement to say that it has been taxing. I spent the longest time trying to find a job, and now that I have one, it seems like that was the easiest part. I’ve learned that working in food service is, ironically, no picnic. I admittedly have made a lot of mistakes, and I’m still learning the ropes. I’d be lying if I said I “loved” it, or even enjoyed it, but a job is a job.

Working out also adds to the physical exhaustion that I’ve been feeling on a daily basis, but it is nonetheless extremely satisfying to know that at least I’m doing something productive. I’m trying so hard to make the most of what time I have, and though I don’t feel good every single day, I appreciate the moments when I feel like I could do anything.

What else? I’ve been fortunate enough to have had a very adventurous summer so far. I cannot stress how much of a blessing it is to have friends who are always down to go adventuring. From hiking to Point Reyes while singing songs with people you love, to exploring new beaches in Santa Cruz, to just trying out new places to get food, I’m truly appreciative of how vibrant these past few months have been.

Furthermore, being in college gives you the freedom to be more selective about who you want to spend your time with. Especially in the summer months when time is literally money, not a single minute should be wasted, in my opinion. But I haven’t wasted any time (maybe a little bit of money, though), because I’m really blessed to have people in my life who choose me. I’ve learned the value of making time for people who have time for me. I’ve reveled in the company of the friends who I hadn’t seen in months, and of course, the ones who I appreciate being able to see almost all the time. It seems like something so small, but I think that’s what a blessing in disguise is: the people who make the effort.

So I have a little over a month left of summer, and I still have the intention to be as productive as possible, even if that means feeling drained every single day. Additionally, I will stay encompassed by the abundance of positive vibes I feel from spending time with those I care about, before the next school year swallows me whole once more.