To most people, it may seem like just another summer. Summer is the best time of year. It's when you go to the beach, play travel sports, hangout with friends, go out for ice cream, sleeping ‘til 12 in the afternoon, and take cheesy pictures. But there's something bittersweet about this one in particular.
You've just ended a huge chapter of your life. For most people, you've lived in the same town, in the same house, and gone to school with the same people for the past 18 years of your life. But it was more than just 18 years; those 18 years represent all of your memories.
For the past 18 summers, you’ve done the same things. You’ve gone to your favorite beaches with your best friends, played your favorite sport, go to your favorite ice cream stand, stayed up until dawn and slept all day.
You usually dread going back to school after each summer, but this time, you’re excited and anxious to count down the days before you’re out on your own at college. When you’re in high school and you’ve just sent in your first check reserving a place for you at college, of course you’re excited to shop for dorm accessories and basically live on your own. Through all that chaos and excitement, senior year speeds by and it's summer time again.
This summer is the most important because it represents so much. It’s a time that you should spend doing the things that you’ve always loved to do and more. Don’t just hang out with a select few friends and sleep in every day. Hang out with the friends that you meant to hang out with, but never did. You may never see them again. Don’t skip out on someone’s graduation party because you don’t feel like going. It will mean the world to them and you’ll be glad you went.
Don’t forget about your pets. Your pets don’t understand that it’s time for you to go off to college and they’re going to miss you just as much as you miss them (maybe even more). Take some time and spend it with them.
This may seem a little silly but I’m telling you right now, hang out with your parents. Just as they’ve been there for you every step of the way ‘til now and beyond, you’ve been there for them in ways that you may never know. As much as you may disagree with this, you’re going to miss your parents, and they’re going to miss you more. They’ve watched you grow into the young adult that you now are and couldn’t be more proud. Don’t be embarrassed to take a couple pictures with them. And don’t forget about your siblings; they’re going to miss you too even if you've been fighting with them since forever. Your family is forever.
Don’t be afraid to try and make some friends. Some of these friends are friends that I know I’ll have for life. As someone that’s awkward and hates talking, it really isn’t that hard to make friends, and you have to make friends when you go to college anyway, so don’t be shy.
Make the most of this summer, do what you want within reason, spend time with your family and friends, go to sleep late, wake up early, take pictures, make the most of everything, create new memories, and most importantly, have fun.
