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14 Reasons Lifeguarding Is, Hands Down, The Best Summer Job

Because nothing beats getting paid to sit in the sun.

Madison Burkhalter

Aug 13, 2018

Lindenwood University

108

Instagram

Every single year, Memorial Day weekend is one of my favorite times of the year because that means the pools open for the summer and it's time for me to get back up in that lifeguard chair. Setting up the pool in early May, getting ready for the start of the season and most importantly seeing all your co-workers who you most likely haven't really seen since the pool closed in September. All in all, every year I look forward to going back to my summer job doing what I love, at the place I love, with the people I love. If that wasn't enough to convince you why lifeguarding is the best summer job, here are 14 more reasons.

The Pool

I love living at the pool. Enough said.

Free Tanning

That one piece guard suit tan line, I wouldn't want it any other way.

The Apparel

Guard shirts, jackets, sweatpants, sweatshirts, shorts, tank tops....I can't get enough of it.

Coffee Runs

Madison Burkhalter

Happy hour Dunkin' Donuts is the only thing that gets us through a night shift.

Rainy Days

AKA getting paid to sit and goof off with your co-workers in the guard office.

Swim Lessons

I love kids, therefore I love teaching kids. So much joy to teaching kids in the summer time.

Day Campers

Yes, they are wild and crazy, but you're lying if you say that you don't at least secretly love them.

Breaks

Oh, so I only have to sit in the chair for maybe an hour and then I get a break? Ummmm...yes sign me up!

Free Concessions Food

Two words. FREE FOOD.

You're in Charge

With a whistle comes great power and great responsibility, but guarding lives, I wouldn't want it any other way.

Saving Lives

The fact that you have the skills to save lives is extremely important, exhilarating and pretty damn awesome.

Staff Parties

The only way to party in the summer.

Co-workers

Co-workers are friends, but let's be real, the pool is more like a family.

When The Summer Season Ends

Labor Day, when my pool closes for the summer. Although most of the staff is already away at college, Labor Day is a love-hate relationship, you're happy your summer job is done for this year, but you are sad to see it go until Memorial Day when it starts back up again. Bittersweet goodbyes to the best job ever.

So, thanks lifeguarding for being my stable summer job these past four summers, until next year...

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Recommended for you

14 Reasons Lifeguarding Is, Hands Down, The Best Summer Job

Because nothing beats getting paid to sit in the sun.

The Pool

Free Tanning

The Apparel

Coffee Runs

Rainy Days

Swim Lessons

Day Campers

Breaks

Free Concessions Food

You're in Charge

Saving Lives

Staff Parties

Co-workers

When The Summer Season Ends

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Or at least try to do.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

2. I will look decent for class.

3. I will go to the gym more.

4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

2. Disappointed you let it get this bad

3. Distracted: When a 10-Minute Break Becomes an Hour

4. When the Yearning for Sleep Sneaks Up

5. In the words of Lorelai Gilmore "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee"

Oh, so done.

You need sleep, but also have 13 things due in the span of 4 days.

1. When it's December 1 and you have seven things due, three exams, and haven't slept in three days.

2. So you stress.

3. And cry.

4. Then call your mom to cry some more.

5. After the pep talk, you feel determined to get everything done.

6. But, now you're tired.

7. And really hungry.

8. Suddenly, it's 2 a.m. and you have only written three sentences and your paper is due in the morning.

9. You've made it to Friday... somehow.

10. Then Sunday hits and you find yourself back at the Lib.

11. So you cry some more.

12. But, you fight through the tears to get everything done because you're determined.

13. In the end, you feel on top of the world because you made it through the last week of class alive.

14. But, now it's finals week so good luck.

"I want to thank Google, Wikipedia, and whoever else invented copy and paste. Thank you."

1. I'm so tired. I need a nap. Maybe I can sleep with my eyes open in class? Or pretend I'm not napping?

2. We have a test today? Why didn't anyone tell me? Did I know this?!

3. Can I quit school yet? It's only October, and I need a vacation.

4. The struggle is so real.

5. I'm so broke. SOS.

6. Stressed? Eat everything you own in your pantry and stuff your face with all your feelings.

7. "Did we have anything due in class today? Homework? Quiz? Test?" "Not that I know of..."

8. I need food. Where is the closest place to get food? I need it stat.

9. This is the longest day of my life. I need a drink, or two, or three.

10. Sleep? What is sleep? What a foreign concept.

11. When someone suggests going and studying in the library, let alone studying in general.

12. When the cafeteria or student center is packed and you can't find a seat anywhere so you literally have to sit in an abandoned corner.

13. When you see someone you used to hook up with. They see you, and approach you; so you have to pretend like everything is normal.

14. When you get your exam and realize you didn't study as much as you should have.

15. When you crush it on an exam or paper that you totally bullshitted.

16. I need a grande, extra strong coffee to get me through today.

17. When the professor announces you have a project due the following week with no instruction on what it's on and how to do it.

18. Is it Friday yet? Where's the weekend when you need it most?

19. It's freezing in here. I feel like I'm sitting in an igloo. I should have brought a jacket or worn long pants.

20. Did I remember my book? Damn, I forgot the book, and of course I need it for that quiz in class.

21. I would pay a million dollars to not go to class today; or actually never again.

22. I need a hoverboard to ride to class. Maybe then I wouldn't be running 15 minutes late to class every day.

23. Oh she/he's cute! I wonder if they're single. Who are they texting? They're BF/GF? I wonder if they think I'm cute. Could they be a potential new bae?

24. Why is there never any parking? I pay thousands of dollars a year for one parking spot to be open.

25. When it feels like you've been in class for an hour and you look at your phone and it has only been five minutes (I'm crying on the inside).

26. When the professor asks if there are any more questions at the end of class and someone raises their hand.

27. When you get assigned the most incompetent group of people possible for a group project.

28. I need a comfort dog so I can avoid all life and school responsibilities.

"A Christmas Story" is the star on top of the tree.

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