It is inevitable that kids look forward to summertime.

They kiss their books goodbye at the end of June and say hello to the sun, beach, and all their new free time. This marks the point of two months free from books, teachers, hours of sitting at a desk, strict rules to oblige, and homework. Thus, it is no wonder that kids eagerly look forward to summertime each year, often spending the end of the school year counting down the days until the new season approaches.

This attitude towards summer vacation continues, seeping into the middle and high school years, where it becomes even more fun. Being older and more independent, there is now more freedom to come and go as you please, making the most of the precious free time you now have. However, there also tend to be more responsibilities during the summer as you age, since high school students often take on jobs or internships. Still, summertime is fun-time, and it’s always something to look forward to.

Fast-forward a couple of years. You’re in the midst of your college experience, and what they don’t tell you about these summers is that they are no longer as carefree and relaxed as they used to be. They don’t tell you how much more you have to do, how much less energy you have to do it, and how much less free time there is. They don’t tell you that, sometimes, adult summers can be more exhausting than the school year.

Workdays tend to be longer at this age as we enter jobs, internships, and summer programs in the real world that can run from 9-5, sometimes encompassed between two strenuous commutes. Regardless of what profession you’re in, you’re likely taking on a position somewhere that you are at the bottom of the ladder, slowly working your way up, which means that your workday can be full of obeying orders, running other people’s errands, doing busy work, and needing to put on a smile throughout it all. On top of that, many people tend to enroll in summer classes. Whether these take place online or in person, they are sure to serve as another source of stress and time consumption.

We become exhausted—mentally, emotionally, and sometimes physically. We come home with no other desire than to face plant onto our beds until the end of eternity. It was not too long ago that we looked forward to going out with friends every night during the summer, but now it is becoming more difficult to find the energy to do so as we become more needy of good sleep.

They don’t tell you about this—that adult summers are no longer all fun and games. They don’t tell you that adult summers come with real responsibilities and strings attached. They don’t tell you that summers become decreasingly carefree and relaxed. They don’t tell you that you might even find yourself wishing the school year would arrive again.

Of course, I don't mean to make it sound all bad. The work days may be longer and more stressful, we may be more tired than we used to be, and we may not have as much energy to enjoy our free time as we once did . . . but summer is summer! And summer is supposed to be lived to its fullest. We still have the free time that is more scarce during the school year, and we still get to come home to our families for 3+ months. We are still young, thriving, and capable of having fun.

Yes, the summers may have become more constrained and less stress-free, and yes, no one had told us this would be the case, but don’t forget to enjoy it at the same time! This season is what you make of it and you are the only person who can dictate if one summer becomes a stressful one. It is your decision to be happy and enjoy it regardless of how long your workday is or how many people have taken advantage of you throughout it.

Smile through the stressful moments, plan fun vacations and outings to look forward to, and don’t forget to appreciate every moment, because each one will flee right before your very eyes only to be gone forever.