Summer break was once the most sought after period of time in our youth. As spring edged its way into warmer days, we would count down the days until we would be released from the prison we called school. We were unbelievably excited to spend each day lounging around, not having to respond to and retort lesson plans and assignments.
We longed for summer. We had little responsibility accompanied by plans to spend time with our friends. On Monday maybe go to the pool, Tuesday maybe go to the beach. By the time the weekend rolled around, we were too tired to be excited. But we didn't need to be. Every day was a weekend.
As we acquired independence, responsibility came with. When we were able to ride around alone on our bikes, the search for jobs sprung within us. It was here when the downward crash of fun summers began. It was kind of like a stock that starts off going nowhere but up, then starts to plummet. Slowly but surely summers became just another mundane aspect of life with good weather.
Sure, there were more possibilities, but finances always seemed to somehow squeeze its way into our enjoyment.
As we got close to graduating high school, some of us were working full-time jobs. At 40 hours a week, there was little we could look forward to when it came to having an amazing summer break. At 17 and 18, we were getting visions of a boring life that lied on the horizons.
Fast forward to college. At this point, we were working full-time hours during our summers. We reminisced all those free family vacations we once dreaded. Working full hours and then going back to our poorly lit door room and treating ourselves with ramen.
Personally, summer has gotten to a point where I can't wait to get back into school. The positive aspects of college make up for what summer has lost. All the freedom, the social life, the intellectual challenging classrooms that actually care about your opinion instead of literally reiterating a textbook. College makes up for a lot.
Now, I look forward to moving back into my dorm room and reconnecting with the people that I'll probably be friends with for a very long time. Even though summer is filled with long hours and hard days, the school year is where it's at.
Going to the cafeteria with other classmates, staying up until 4 a.m. for no reason, sharing the same anxiety and struggles as those whom I live with, make it feel a lot better. Also, not having parental figures to tell you what to do is always a plus. The freedom of being in college is drastically helpful in becoming independent.
