At this stage in life, I am finally coming to terms with the fact that I am slowly creeping towards adulthood. While my past summers were spent lying out by the pool, going to the city with my friends, and a general air of reckless abandon, I can no longer afford that luxury. These days, summers are not necessarily a break from school, but rather an opportunity to get even more work done. It's time to get ahead of the game.

I can assure you that whoever invented the concept of a summer internship did not base their priorities around having a social life. I am not sure how I got this far, or who decided I am responsible enough to handle real life tasks, but somehow I ended up landing a summer internship. While it seems glamorous to be trusted working in a real office, I have found myself even busier as an intern than I have ever been during an actual semester of classes. Through the ups and downs of it all, I have found that my idol, Leslie Knope, always seems to get me.

First, you have to compile a "professional" wardrobe.

You walk into the office on your first day.

But, you actually feel terrified.

Your boss gives you your first big project.

And you start to feel really confident.

But, then, you gradually realize you have no idea what you're doing.

Constant pep talks are necessary.

You try to maintain your social life.

But you still have to go into work early the next day.

In fact, you may have to work all day and still have more to do after work.

After a while, you get used to being constantly drained.

Your friends begin to notice you're not acting the same.

Eventually, you start to give up on "dressing to impress."

In fact, you give up on your appearance entirely.

You're about to give up.

But, you see a glimmer of hope.

Because in a few weeks you'll be free.

And at the end of it all, at least you came away with one important lesson.