In these last few weeks of school, most of us find ourselves counting down the days, minutes and hours until summer. But as much as we all love summer, the end of the year is always bittersweet. As finals week comes to a close, here are the best and the worst parts of these final few days of the academic year.

The Best

1. No School

Unless you’re taking summer classes (which, in that case, I am so, so sorry), summer is a blissful three months of no homework, tests, papers, or lectures. Even if you have a summer of hard work or an internship ahead, it’s nice to have a break from the same old school routine. As much work as an internship or summer job can be, at least you don’t have any exams to cram for or all-nighters to pull for papers and homework.

2. Going home

You’ve heard it a million times, but you’ve probably never felt it so much as you have in college -- there really is no place like home. Home is where you can sleep in your own comfy bed, instead of that uncomfortable, wooden, dorm room Twin XL. Home is where you can wave goodbye to those frozen, mushy, mystery meals they try to pass off in the dining hall as “food.” Hello, home-cooked deliciousness. Home is where you don’t have to lug your laundry up three flights of stairs to do, nor do you have to worry about anyone snagging your favorite pair of jeans from the dryer. Home is home -- and it’s pretty dang great.

3. Catching up with friends and family

For many of us, the best part of what makes going home so great is the opportunity to see our childhood friends and spend time with family. For those who attend college far away from their parents and siblings, it’s a rare time where we can all gather and spend more than a week long break together. And as much as you love your friends from college, you’ll never be able to replace your friends from home, who’ve been there for you through your first crush, first kiss and first prom. Distance really does make the heart grow fonder.

4. Flip-flops-and-cutoffs weather

One of the best parts of summer is, of course, well, summer. It’s the season of sun, sand, swimsuits, sunscreen, and sandals. Fall, winter and spring do have their merits, but it’s pretty hard to beat getting to lounge around outside while soaking up the sun. Plus, everyone looks good in the summer, because everyone looks better when they’re tan!

The Worst

5. Exams

Before we all get to enjoy the abundant merits of summer, everyone has to get through hell week, aka final exams. Summer may be so close that you can almost taste it, but make sure you grind out that last week of hard work, and summer will be all yours to enjoy. Though it’s the week every college student dreads, it’s the last home stretch before three months of fun and sun. And don't worry, if you feel like the above GIF right now.

Just remember, in a week, this will be you, for the next three months.

6. See-you-laters & Goodbyes

Exam week may be brutal, but saying goodbye to your friends is definitely the worst of the worsts. Saying "see ya" just for the summer isn’t so sad, but if you’re a graduating senior, or you have friends who are, this is the day you’ve been dreading for four years. As you all head off to different parts of the country to start your own adventures in the “real world” with real jobs, you’ll find yourself asking how it all flew by so fast.

7. Long work weeks

As I said earlier, it’s pretty great having no school in the summer. That being said, this isn’t high school anymore; for most college students, summer is no longer one big, long vacation for relaxing and sleeping in. Competitive internships often require students to work full-time, everyday, from 9 A.M. to 5 P.M. (or longer), while summer jobs can be just as demanding and even more tiring. On the bright side, at least there’s no homework or tests!

8. Packing up

It’s finals week, you’ve basically taken up residence in the library, and you have barely any time to eat or sleep let alone pack up your room and move out. But, alas, it must be done. Freshmen will likely put it off until the last day, when they’ll panic and realize they don’t have the time or space to pack up all their things, and will frantically start throwing away items. One expert piece of advice is to wear 10 pieces of clothing to the airport -- you may look less than stylish, but at least you’ll be able to pack one more useless trinket into your baggage!