The only thing that got me through the stress of finals week, was the promising vision of summer that was soon to be at my grasp. The hard days of the last semester of college tempted the whispers of adventure that summer so often likes to tempt us with. So, it makes sense that every time I caught myself staring into space instead of reading my textbooks my thoughts were consumed with breaking through the constricting restraints of school responsibility. However, all this dreaming leads to a disillusioned view of summer.
I forgot that coming home for the summer meant coming home to live under my parents roof. Their roof their rules as it goes. Living away from home for nine months out of the year breeds an impeccably independent individual. I didn't understand why my parents would get upset at me for coming home at 4 a.m. or wanting to leave the house at 4 a.m. to go get a slice of pizza because these were just everyday normal things for me. I no longer had the freedom to do what I want when I wanted.
I had to ask for permission before doing anything. This situation was made even more challenging due to the fact that I don't have my own car at home, so if I wanted to go anywhere it had to work with my parents schedule. This often left me confined to the house wondering how I watched the entire series of "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" so quickly.
Broke college students tend to forget that those summer adventures you dream about more often than not require money. Or I at least certainly forgot. Which brings summer jobs into the mix of disillusionment. If you're like me and did not land a super cool paid internship for the summer you most likely applied at every restaurant and retail store within 20 miles. I filled out countless applications and landed a lot of interviews, but no matter how well the interview was going whenever the manager saw I didn't go to school locally their response always was "We have a few more people to interview, but in a few weeks we're going to start calling people so maybe you'll be one." I never was. Which has left me broke for the summer.
And who could forget about our dear friend the freshman15? Because she definitely is not a myth. No one is going to feel as confident as they did in their bikini the summer before college. So even trying to tan away the severe paleness that the hours in the library caused you, it won't be as fun because you're too busy feeling self conscious. This leads to a lot of time working out and dieting to get back to your prime, when you could be enjoying yourself and relaxing.
Now don't get me wrong summer is my favorite part of the year, but I have never experienced a summer that wasn't filled with disillusionment. However, it is important to remember not to let this overwhelming feeling ruin your summer. The weather is beautiful, your friends and family are with you, and you have no responsibilites. It's impossible not to have fun.
