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6 Signs Lifeguarding Isn't just A Job, It's Your Life

The most coveted summer job there is.

Molly English

Jul 30, 2018

University of Georgia

129

6 Signs Lifeguarding Isn't just A Job, It's Your Life

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For the past 4 years, my summers have included sitting in a stand and watching a pool.

Lifeguarding was never the most exciting job, but it did grant me the exclusive bragging rights to pretend I saved lives every day and walked in slow motion like Baywatch on the pool deck. In honor of hanging up my whistle and guard tube for good, here are six signs to know you're a part of this exclusive bunch.

You will pray for rain in the dead of summer.

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Thunder is a blessing to a lifeguard's ears. Just one sound and you have a guaranteed 30 minute (or longer) break.

People complaining/yelling at you doesn't phase you.

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If you work at a pool, the complaints are never ending. Be prepared to hear about how the hot tub is too hot, the thunder you just heard is just "an excuse for you to have a break", and how the bathrooms smell worse than any smell in a hospital (all 100% real complaints I have received).

You can't wear a bikini because your one piece tan is so bad.

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Ah, yes. Thanks to lifeguarding, days at the pool when you're not working involve trying to get rid of the circle tan on your back that won't be going away for at least another year or two.

Kids playing "the breathing game" gives you a heart attack.

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To jump in or not to jump in? Kids will wait until you are on the edge of your lifeguard chair to pop up out of the water completely fine.

You and your coworkers are the best of friends.

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Who else can you vent to about patrons or pool-specific issues? No one else will get it, and it's fun to go to work with friends everyday.

Even though you say you hate it, you love lifeguarding.

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Seriously, what other job pays for you to get tan, make friends, and be by a pool all summer? Even though it's not exactly as glamorous as Baywatch, you wouldn't trade the best summer job for anything.

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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

6 Signs Lifeguarding Isn't just A Job, It's Your Life

The most coveted summer job there is.

You will pray for rain in the dead of summer.

People complaining/yelling at you doesn't phase you.

You can't wear a bikini because your one piece tan is so bad.

Kids playing "the breathing game" gives you a heart attack.

You and your coworkers are the best of friends.

Even though you say you hate it, you love lifeguarding.

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10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1. "What do I have to study for?"

2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Today's special moments are tomorrow's memories. — Genie

It's a time of love, family, memory-making, and gift-giving. But also a time of stressing over the perfect gift.

Money

Socks

Blankets

Gift Cards

Hoodies and Sweatpants

Pajamas

Candles

A Fish

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