Well, summer seems to have gone by in the blink of an eye, and before we know it, we’ll be pulling out the textbooks and heading off to way-too-early morning classes again. It seems as though this summer barely even happened—looking back, what did I even spend all my time doing? Here are some pre-summer expectations vs. the reality of what actually happened this summer.
1. Going on Vacation
Expectation:
Going on vacation to a beautiful tropical destination. The Bahamas? Cabo San Lucas? Hawaii? The options are endless!
Reality: I suppose going to the neighborhood pool is close enough — maybe if you close your eyes, block out the sounds of the kids, and imagine waves crashing against the shore.
2. Summer Jobs
Expectation: Getting a summer job and saving up tons of money before going back to school. This summer’s going to all about making as much money as possible, so you can buy that new laptop and be able to go out with your friends without missing out due to being low on funds!
Reality: Let’s be real, you probably gave up after filling out two job applications and didn’t hear back from either one. Now your only source of income is the occasional babysitting gig you gave up your Saturday for.
3. Hanging with Friends
Expectation: Hanging out with all your friends and doing all the things you didn’t have time for during the school year. We’re going to party it up, go to concerts, hike all the mountains around town—you name it.
Reality: Summer slump hit you at your worst, and you don’t even have the motivation to make plans with your friends. I mean, that’s so much effort, right? Sitting at home with your trusty laptop and Netflix subscription is much more reliable, much easier, and requires significantly less energy.
4. Summer Internships
Expectation: Scoring the perfect summer internship that might land you your dream job in the future. Whether it’s research at the hospital, the college program at Disney World, interning at a big company in Washington D.C., performing in a Broadway musical—this could be your next big break!
Reality: So you didn’t get the internship you wanted, but hey—landing that part-time position at Walmart or McDonalds could totally teach you those career skills you need, right?
5. Traveling
Expectation: Traveling the world. What better time than over the summer to take a road trip across the United States, or hitchhike all over Europe, or go on a cruise through Pacific Asia? The world is a big place to explore!
Reality: If driving from your home town to Charlottesville twice this summer—once for Midsummers, and the second to move into your new apartment—counts as road tripping, then we can check this off the list, right?
6. Summer Love
Expectation: Summer romance. Let’s face it, having a summer fling is one of those things we secretly wish for every summer, but this summer is different. You can feel it. You’re going to meet the hot guy at the camp you both work at, and it’s going to be like High School Musical.
Reality: Turns out meeting people over the summer is a lot harder than you thought. When everyone is back in their hometowns, it doesn’t leave you with many options, unless you’re trying to get back with your high school crush.
7. Summer Resolutions
Expectation: Time to revamp your style. There’s no better time than right now to get a new look for yourself and start working out so that you can come back in the fall looking fresher than ever. Plus, the new apartment will give you a chance to revamp your living space too!
Reality: Just like all the boxes of unpacked things laying around your apartment, you haven’t changed one bit. If anything, the only box of clothes you’ve been living out of is the t-shirt box. Plus, was going to the gym even an option?
8. Family Reunions
Expectation: Family bonding! You don't get to spend much time with the family during the school year, so you're stoked that your family has planned a reunion for a family vacation! It's going to be so fun seeing all your uncles, aunts, and cousins.
Reality: Why did you ever think that this would be fun in the first place? From family drama to annoying cousins to the aunt who always asks you if you have a boyfriend yet—when will the reunion end?
With all that being said, perhaps it’s time to set aside the Netflix and pizza nights and make the most of the last few weeks of summer before classes start up again!
