This summer I needed to make as much money as I possibly could in three months. I have sorority dues, I have nights out that need to be funded, and you know, the crushing weight of student loans to start chipping at. So when my dad suggested a factory job that paid more per hour than I currently had in my bank account, I jumped at the opportunity. It isn't easy, it isn't fun and I come home covered in all matter of things that I wish weren't stuck to me, but it will be worth it in the end (I hope).

So to the girl missing out on her summer to work her ass off, go you. Not only will you have bank to take back to school with you but you will never have to say that it was just given to you. Your sweat (and in my case tears) is going to pay off ten-fold when you never have to think twice about whether or not you can afford to eat off campus or go to whatever concert is coming. I know that you probably think about quitting at least twice every shift, but try to think that it's three months out of a life. That's nothing!

We have to sit out of this year's Fourth of July festivities, but there are so many more Independence Day's ahead of us. There is no getting around it, being the only friend who can't go on the day trip to the lake or Cedar Point or whatever it is, sucks. It sucks a lot. Rally through girlfriend, then you can afford to rally all school year. Plus, you are probably getting close exposure to the kind of workplace you don't want to spend the rest of your life in, which will be great motivation to push through the next however mean years of schooling to land your dream job.

To the girl who is working her summer away, hang in there. You are making your parents, friends and hopefully yourself proud. It is hard work but you are a better person for doing it. One summer to make as much money as you can and an entire school year to enjoy it. You're doing amazing sweetie.