Preparing for the summer stresses me out.

I said it. Yes, the thought of what they call summer "vacation" stresses me out.

Because really it's not a vacation.

Summer as a college student means either work or an internship, and if you don't have either planned you are either characterized as lazy or blessed.

If I was ever given the opportunity to have a post-college job just fall into my lap without having an internship, or the ability to not have to work to pay for college expenses -- then I would consider it to be the best day of my life.

However, reality sinks in and so does the fact that in a couple of short years we all will be paying for everything on our own, with virtually every business expecting an internship in our field of study before considering hiring us.

So if every business expects you to have internship experience, then finding and landing an internship shouldn't be hard, right?

Wrong.

Depending on your major and location for the summer, finding an internship can be rather challenging. January through March are consumed with application after application; with fingers crossed, you are able to get something lined up for the summer. Especially if you are an underclassman trying to secure something, your options are even more limited.

During this period of waiting, we avoid and dread any question remotely close to "what are your summer plans?" as some look on and wonder why you haven't secured anything.

So I think it's easy to understand why us college students are stressed right now about summer.

But have no fear friends, good things come to those who wait... and apply for a thousand internships. You are bound to have one opportunity come back if you are realistic in what you are applying for, and put the time into your applications.

So my best piece of advice to the stressed college student:

Apply. Apply. Apply.

Don't give up when you get rejections because it's going to happen, and happen, and happen some more.

But then one, or two will emerge and offer you a position -- and you will never feel more relieved.

So keep pushing out applications, and stay as positive as you can, because something is sure to come your way soon...

And then, you can begin to relax.