Since I returned to my university in January, I have been aching for warm weather and sunshine. It's March, and I am still aching for it. There is a void in my soul that can only be fulfilled by the sunshine and 90-degree weather. So far I have made it to my 7:45 a.m. class almost every time it's met. I have been to work at 8 a.m. on the days I don't have class. I am exhausted. I am ready for summer. I had a taste of a break this week during spring break, but it's nothing compared to what I need. Even on my break, I've been thinking about school and all the things I have to do when I return to finish the semester. When I go back to school, the countdown to final exams and summer will begin. It is time for a real break. Over the summer I don't have to focus on papers that are due at the end of the semester or exams that I have to take. I am thankful for the time off during spring break, but it is not near long enough.

Over the summer, I can just do whatever I want to do. If I want to plan to go to the beach, I can. I have already planned to go to England for a little while and just rest with people that I love and haven't seen in a while. I can read books and relax in the sun. Summer is a nice time. Yes, in Tennessee summer is hot -- but after 20 years of it, I'm pretty much used to it. I can go to the pool and hang out with friends from home. Summer is a carefree time, and I want it to be here. I am done with early mornings and late nights. I am done with stress and anxiety. After my last exam on May 2, I will be able to breathe a sigh of relief and be OK. It will be time to go home for summer.

I enjoy school -- I really do. I love to learn, but college is hard and summer is necessary. I am forever thankful for how long summers are at college because they are needed. The almost-four months for summer break is justified. Everything is better in the summer. The sunshine makes people happy, you can roll the windows down when you drive and let your hair blow in your face. Everything goes at a slower pace in the summer. Summer is a time for late nights and laughter -- and I need it.

It's that point in the semester when college students start losing motivation, but we have to power through and finish strong. On the other side of April and exams is summer. There is a silver lining. We can do it, we can make it through to summer. Exhausted college student, you can make it through. You can keep going to your 8 a.m. classes. We can make it to summer.