During junior year, most college students are busy taking classes for their majors, trying to keep up with various friendships and their social lives and applying to internships. Applying to internships became second nature to me this past semester, and I had a lot of eye opening experiences throughout the process. I had my first real interviews, followed up with companies I hadn’t heard back from at the cost of coming across as annoying (Or ambitious? Who knows how they actually view it), and I landed an internship I couldn’t be more excited about after expending copious amounts of time and effort (and useless stress during the process about not having one yet).

Although I applied for internships at companies across the country, I ultimately earned a position at one that is in my hometown of Cincinnati. I have friends from home who will be interning in San Francisco, New York City and London this summer. I have friends who will be studying abroad all across the world this summer. And I’ve realized that having the experience of summer with just a few friends now is preparation for life after college. This future life consists of friendships that stretch across the country, and potentially even the world. Starting now, you will have fewer friendships that are based on proximity because your friends will likely end up scattered across the country. Many of my smart, hard-working and talented friends are flying the nest this summer.

One of my best friend’s families is moving to Boston this summer, and that’s a hard goodbye. No longer will school breaks consist of coffee dates around the city. It’s an uncomfortable and foreboding reminder that even bigger changes lie right around the corner with the conclusion of college.

Having all of your best friends constantly within a five minute drive of you at college is one of the most beautiful things about this time of our lives. It’s hard to imagine a different life than the one we’ve become accustomed to. This accessibility to being with friends constantly is something many students take for granted. And it’s something I don’t want to take for granted anymore.

I’m going to do my best this summer to balance my internship, enjoying living at home with my family for one of the last summers ever and catching up with friends regularly so it doesn’t seem like such a big burden to catch up on all the things that will have happened over the next three months.

This summer is crucial. It’s a test drive for our post-college lives. Make the most of it, and try not to take any of these precious moments or friendships for granted. After all, the friendships you continuously nurture now are the ones that will remain strong after your graduation day.

Whatever you’re doing this summer, regardless of whether you’re the friend staying at home or exploring new territory, remember how important relationships are to your everyday life and dedicate time to cultivating them.