The long-waited summer anticipation used to be filled with thoughts of stress-free days spent by the pool, long nights around bonfires with friends, and family road trips that you absolutely loved (hated?). Now, it seems like summer is nothing more than competitive internships, extra classes, and days worrying if you're doing enough in order to get a good job once you graduate. Has everyone forgotten that summer is supposed to be a break from these exact things that cause us so much stress during the semester?

This isn't to shame anyone who's working at a great internship or taking extra classes to gain extra credits for their major. But it is a reminder that it's okay if you have no idea what you're doing. Better yet, it's absolutely acceptable if you have actually planned to do things that you have always wanted to, even if they aren't resume builders. Backpack through another country. Work odd jobs so you can pay for gas for a road trip from California to DC with your best friends. Spend days on the beach reading new books. Before you know it, you'll be working in corporate America where you won't have these same options, and it's okay if you want to take advantage of them while you still can.

I know it seems like you'll be so behind the curve if you don't intern for the President or work at Goldman after your Sophomore year. But don't get so caught up in comparing yourself to others that you forget to stop and think about what you really want out of the three months ahead of you. You'll get to where you want to be in life and being spontaneous this summer won't prevent that. Trust me; you'll never regret making memories that you can look back on and smile when you're sitting in your office in ten years. Take advantage while you still can.