A College Student's Changing Thoughts On Summer | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Seasonal

To Those Whose Thoughts On Summer Have Changed

Sometimes the season of summer doesn't seem to be as enjoyable as it used to be, and that's OK.

403
To Those Whose Thoughts On Summer Have Changed

Growing up, I used to always be excited about the thought of going on summer vacation. From the sound of the final school bell to being able to feel the hot summer air against my skin, I was more than thrilled to no longer have to deal with classes and to finally have some time to relax. Whether it was reading the latest book or catching up on some TV shows, it was nice to feel as though I had no responsibilities and that the world around me was somewhat at a halt because I didn't have to go to school. From going on family vacations to concerts and, of course, the beach, many of the summers in my life have brought positive memories that I will continue to cherish for many years to come. Now, as my life has drastically changed, so have my thoughts on the season of summer.

As I have gotten older, my excitement for summer slowly has begun to fade away, which surprised me. It seemed as though one day I was thrilled to enjoy typical summertime activities and prepare to celebrate my birthday, while the next day I wasn't. At this point, I knew I needed to figure out why I no longer felt excited. Was it because I was able to fully acknowledge the complications surrounding adulthood and all of the responsibilities I'm starting to have? Was it because summer is normally less exciting to people as they got older? Or was it because of something entirely different? After much speculation about my anxiety over my fleeting interest in the summertime as well as my teenage years, I began to understand where these feelings of discontent were stemming from.

Summer has become that time of the year when I'm constantly asked a question that I typically dread hearing: "So what are your plans for the summer?" With the season being halfway over, I feel as though I haven't accomplished that much in the summer, causing me to feel some sort of pressure to have the most exciting summer of my life so far. From social media posts made by popular influencers to conversations with friends where they name all the places they've been able to go to, it's easy to feel left out if your summer doesn't seem to be as exciting.

While making a ton of plans for the summer did initially seem to be extremely important, I've started to realize that I don't need to go on extravagant vacations or go to the beach every day (well, down the shore if you're a New Jersey native like me) to have a great summer. Summer is about making meaningful memories with the people you care about by doing the little things, like walking around town or even going to a friend's house and watching TV. It's during these seemingly little moments in life that we really get to know and cherish those around us and the time we get to spend with them.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
students
Sophia Palmerine

Dear High School Friend Group,

My sweet angels, where would I be without you guys. We all grew up together because we either met in middle school or high school and watched each other grow up and get "old." We got to go to prom together and then graduate together. Then watched each other as we continued our lives in college, joining sororities and meeting people who will impact our lives forever. It all has happened so fast.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

College In Gifs

Because we are all sad Jim Halpert

1099
head on desk
Wise GEEK

Oh college, we can’t live with you, but we can’t live without you. It’s a love/hate relationship, really. College is an experience that no one can ever prepare you for, and maybe that’s a good thing. You never really expect any of the things that college encompasses until you are there. College is fun, but don’t have too much fun. C’s get degrees, but they don’t get you into graduate school.

Keep Reading...Show less
Blair Waldorf

The "Gossip Girl" series may be over, but Blair Waldorf's iconic character lives in our hearts forever. Blair was the queen of the Upper East Side, and a character you either loved or hated. She taught us everything we needed to know about life, love and of course, how to score a Chuck Bass. So the next time you feel a bit lost and are in need of guidance, look no further than to the Queen B herself.

As I spend my Sunday avoiding my homework and other adult responsibilities, I realized that I've watched this series over and over about a million times. Sadly, there isn't a Blair quote I don't know, so I came up with a list of a few favorites. You know you love her...xoxo

Keep Reading...Show less
class
Odyssey

College is an endless cycle of crappy, sleepless nights, tedious, boring lectures, and hours of never-ending piles of homework.

Keep Reading...Show less
two women enjoying confetti

Summer: a time (usually) free from school work and a time to relax with your friends and family. Maybe you go on a vacation or maybe you work all summer, but the time off really does help. When you're in college you become super close with so many people it's hard to think that you won't see many of them for three months. But, then you get that text saying, "Hey, clear your schedule next weekend, I'm coming up" and you begin to flip out. Here are the emotions you go through as your best friend makes her trip to your house.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments