For most college students, summer vacation means packing up all of their stuff and piling it in the car for the trip back to their hometown. Since my hometown is only 20 miles away, and I have an apartment off-campus, it simply means that I no longer have to go to class.

After being in class for nine months, break was much needed and greatly appreciated. It really didn’t dawn on me that it was summer until just last week (nearly four weeks after Gannon’s spring semester had ended). What made me notice it you may ask? I was reading a book – for enjoyment.

To be completely honest, I don’t remember the last time I picked up a book that wasn’t school-related. I wasn’t repeating every word in my head striving for comprehension. I wasn’t highlighting vigorously thinking to myself, “Does this sound like test material?” There was a plot line, complete with characters and dialogue.

That is why I love summer break – it allows for free time. The school year is hectic, and often times I found myself squeezing in time to eat and sleep. Don’t get me wrong – I love being busy. I wouldn’t trade my insane school year for anything in the world. But everyone needs to plug back in and recharge from time to time.

Other things that I’m looking forward to this summer are a trip to Atlanta for a leadership convention, being a summer orientation advisor and of course the annual Cedar Point trip. Except I’m pretty sure to be considered annual it has to happen more than once. Since last year was the first trip, we will call it annual after this year’s excursion.

Another thing that this summer has allowed me to do is reflect on the last three years of college. I have had a blast – unfortunately its time to start mentally preparing myself for graduation. If any of you are going to enter your senior year in the fall, you know exactly what I’m talking about. The beginning of the end is here, and I’m rather excited. My senior schedule is finalized, and in three months I will officially have my last first day of school. It’s hard to believe that the first of those happened 17 years ago.

In the mean time, I think I’ll escape back into that book again. Hope your summer gets off to a great start!

Check in with Sarah Sgro’s blog College Inc. to see what she’s been up to this summer.