Oh, summer. A time that is only dreamt about during finals week. A time that leaves your calendar open and clear for opportunities that can be filled with an array of relaxing and possibly Netflix-ing more than you would between classes. Well, this summer, I would describe such a season as the complete opposite.

I’ve watched Netflix in a total of probably, hm, six times? (This is really, really, low, considering I’d watch Netflix six times a day in college). I’ve slept-in maybe, two times? Also extremely shocking if you know me on a personal level. Free time? Can you define that for me? Use it in a sentence, maybe?

Of course, I can’t complain. I’ve had my fair share of beautiful getaways this summer, but as a college student, I was counting on and holding onto these three months of “stress-free” time with every bit of strength that I had. Hoping that I’d finally get away from my never-ending college headaches that grew from tests, classes, and average day-to-day college problems. This darn hopefulness is, in fact, what made this summer that much more stressful.

Before the school year ended I promised myself that I’d get an internship and a job.

“Build your resume up, you need to make money, get your name out there and take advantage of this summer.”

So, I did exactly that. Thank you subconscious; you really know how to pressure a kid.

Along with having an internship and a job, I decided, hey. Why not become a health nut and go on a crazy diet that includes going to the gym 7 times a week! Woo! Yeah! Health!

Then, I decided… you know what… my bank account still isn’t as pretty as I’d want it to be, let’s pick up a third job.

So here I am, with three weeks left of summer, trying to enjoy every moment left with friends, family, and my bed, wondering was it really worth all that time and energy? And after many mornings that started at 5 a.m., and closing shifts that got me home at 12 p.m., I’ve realized, not only was my summer a constant parade, it made me appreciate the time I had to sit on the couch and catch up on some "Bachelorette" episodes that I didn’t have the chance to watch when everyone was live tweeting ever single moment. I’ve realized that I’m an adult, I really can’t complain, I’m only training myself for the real world. Plus, the town I live in honestly isn’t that lively anyways, I’m really not missing out on much.

Yeah it sucks that I’m not spending every second of my life in bed and waking up at 2 p.m. on a Monday, but such is life and I’d probably get two jobs, an internship and go health-nut crazy again if I had the choice to re-do my summer. This world is a constant race that doesn’t take slacking off as an answer. Well, that’s what I tell myself when I’m really down in the dumps about missing out on beach days and mini vacations.

So here I go — lovely grey sleep-deprived bags under my eyes in full effect — about to end my Friday night closing up a pizza place.

Pay day… you are the only thing that keeps me going.