By Lauren Miller
Managing Editor of Opinions
Ah, summer. A time to finally kick back, relax, and celebrate another school year under our belts.
Or….not?
As a rising senior, this seems far from the reality. Perhaps due an increased awareness of what our peers are doing through social media, many of us feel obligated to go on a faraway service trip, participate in several weeks of math camp, or perhaps pick up a course to get ahead for the upcoming school year. While these are all tasks that make us feel like we are getting a leg up for college admissions, I believe we should all put things into perspective.
After nearly 10 months of sitting in a classroom, it is essential that we give ourselves a mental break from the nonstop work. Summer break should be about pursuing a passion or trying something new in addition to recharging for the year to come. Yet many students jump right into a program they believe will look good on a resume, despite where their interests lie. The “fun” just never seems to end.
I know I was tempted by offers of coursework to “impress top colleges” or volunteer work that would fill my schedule, but why? These are simply not the things I want to be doing with my summer. Instead of spending thousands to study American literature at a prestigious university, I decided instead to pick up an American classic and read it while working part-time.
There are certainly both sides to the argument of what the best use of vacation is. When it comes down to it, everybody has different degrees of how much they can handle. All in all, the most important thing to find during our days in the sun is balance. There is a limit on how much TV we should we watching, but there is also a point of burnout that unfortunately, many students face during our one time to be away from the stresses of South.
So, treat yo’ self! Travel to the beach, venture to your favorite ice-cream place, or discover a spectacular hiking trail. Go ahead- take a breath of salty, summer air– even after the school year starts!
