Summer is unquestionably the best season of the year–especially when your habitat is the tundra and you function within the constraints of snow, ice, and mud-tinted slush nearly three-quarters of the year. From long, balmy hours of daylight and the constant din of a neighborhood lawnmower, to the happy aroma of a smoky grill and those days devoted to the lake and its pleasures, everything about the season of heat is absolutely lovely.
But as much as I adore strutting in oversized shades, letting the rays tan my skin, and overall just unthawing from the harsh Siberian winter, summer also means no school. Which is great. I guess… But honestly, being home after an incredible, adventure-packed, fulfilling first year of college, I can definitely say that there is plenty to miss.
So just to name a few…
1. Hallway dance parties (because doing them alone at home is just a little odd)
2. Sherlock nights (Benedict Cumberbatch plus British equals boss TV series)
3. Happy coffee time and long talks at The Cabin
4. Dorm room movie nights
5. Late-night library explorations/shenanigans
6. Conversations in a British accent
7. Starbucks “study” runs
8. My geology professor (who was basically Bill Nye the Science Guy)
9. Bible study adventures
10.Watching Friends with friends
11.Salsa dancing at El Patio and 3 a.m. Perkins runs
12.Thursday morning caf breakfasts with cool peeps
13.Jamming with my friend to our theme song, “Counting Stars”
14.Profound life conversations with the roommate
15.People
It’s a lot more difficult being away from college than I imagined. Of course I don’t have three five-page essays due on Monday or a huge math exam to study for… But I also don’t have the same amazing community of people surrounding me, the same kind of campus-life fun and adventure, or the same 15’x15′ space to call home. But while the great experiences of college are sacrificed being home for the summer, there are certainly things that I do NOT miss about the residence hall life as well.
1. Having to wear shower shoes (and those unexplainably large wads of hair that cling to the walls)
2. Never being sure when I’ll have my room to myself
3. Caf coffee
4. That hill tho (only fellow Blugolds understand)
5. Punching a code to get into my room
6. Last-possible-moment binge laundry days
7. Lack of automobile
And there you have it. Summer has started. Beautiful, wonderful, amazing summer. And despite the three-month separation from a campus and community that has found a dear place in my heart, I’m ready to embrace the sunny weeks ahead.
xanditwasallyellow 