Stage 1 Freedom:
You just finish off the semester and see a long, relaxing break ahead of you. The stress from the last month of school and finals week is finally over, and you feel as if you have a clean slate. With about a three and a half month break ahead, you feel as if there is no limit.
Stage 2 Sleep:
You are finally able to stay up until midnight and sleep until noon. You start catching up on all the sleep you missed when you stayed up until 3 a.m. writing lab reports or pulled "all nighters" to study for finals. Your bed is now your best friend.
Stage 3 Responsibilities:
It's been a few weeks since school ended, and your parents decide you need to get your life in order and do something productive with your time. You end up doing some volunteer work or finding a job to help pay off some of those student loans.
Stage 4 Chores & Cleaning:
Since you're home, it is now your job to clean the house. Even though you only are back for three months and your siblings have no responsibility, it's up to you to keep the house "spotless" in case guests arrive.
Stage 5 Fun Times:
You get to hang out with your friends from high school that you don't get to see throughout the school-year. Each time you see them is like a little reunion, and you try to do as much as possible together before everyone has to part again.
Stage 6 Missing Your Family:
After a couple months you start to miss the little family you had back at school. While you're enjoying your little break from the stress of school, you just want to hangout with your friends again.
Stage 7 Boredom:
Once the end of July comes around, boredom has become almost a daily occurrence. You're looking forward to seeing your friends at school that you kind of want summer to be over, but you feel as though summer should last forever.
Stage 8 To Be a Kid Again:
You start to think what it would be like to be a kid again. No responsibilities, no job, just staying home and playing with friends. The lives of children seem so much simpler and easier to live.
Stage 9 Realization:
You think long and hard, and come to the realization that another year of school means another year closer to your own life, with a career path set out and the hope of starting your own family. You are almost a "full-fledged" adult.
Stage 10 Goodbye Home:
After a week of shopping and packing, it's finally time to say goodbye to your friends and family, and head back to school. It's bittersweet, as you're leaving one family behind, only to arrive in the arms of another.
