We've all been there: counting down the days until summer vacation on our dorm calendar as we furiously study for our final exams. I'm sure we all had some mental picture of what summer would be like then. At least, I know I did. When I was still plagued by paper after paper and fast-approaching deadlines, I envisioned summer as a goal that I just needed to reach. It seemed nearly unattainable at the time, but with each passing day and each final taken, it became more of a reality. Soon, I thought, I would be relaxing far away from all the pressures of college life.

However, while this vision of summer did have some truth in it, I've found that there is much more to it than that. For me, this--my first college summer--has been a time of reflection, more than anything else. I think this is because you can never really see something for what it is while you're living it. I had to take a step back in order to truly recognize and appreciate what my life had been like at college. It's kind of like looking through a telescope: up close, everything's blurry; but far away, you can see in stunning detail.

What stuck out most to me was how I perceived my relationships with my friends. It's easy to undervalue your friendship with someone when you see them every day. You just get used to being around someone all the time and having the ability to hang out with them whenever the mood strikes, and you aren't really thinking about what it would be like to be 300 miles away for a few months. Now, I know this isn't a problem for everyone. I happen to be one of those students who lives out of state and chooses to go home on breaks. Some of you may still have the luxury of being able to see your friends on a daily basis. My advice to you would be to never forget to appreciate the time you get to spend with them; and my advice to those who, like me, are hundreds of miles away from their friends, would be this: don't worry. Three months may seem like forever, but all good things must come to an end sometime. Besides, we live in the age of technology. Anyone with a phone is simply a call or text away.

Another thing I've learned from this summer is that there's something about the sense of community on campus that just can't be replicated anywhere else. I never thought I'd miss the long walks to class, or waiting for the elevator to reach floor eight, but I do. When I was still on campus, these were the only things I was thinking about: getting to class on time, the most efficient routes to the Hixson-Lied Science Building, etc. Now, the memories that stuck with me the most are those of relaxing on the hammocks, playing ping-pong daily in Swanson, and watching some guy dance along the mall as if he was the happiest person at Creighton University. These are the stories that I still tell, especially to those who are unfamiliar with our community. These are the things that make me proud to be a Bluejay.

Going into this summer, I thought I would just be relieved to be away from the stress of schoolwork and exams, but now I can see that I was wrong. The truth is, I can't wait to go back. I miss seeing my friends every day and living in such a welcoming, comfortable community. Sure, this summer has been fun, and it was nice to be able to take a step back and breathe deeply for a change, but I also miss Creighton University and all the memories I've made there, good or bad. So, to any incoming freshmen who may be reading this: don't forget to slow down every once in a while. Take the time to appreciate college while you're living it, regardless of the work you have yet to do. Believe me, these will be memories that you'll carry with you forever.