I Don't Have a Summer Internship but Here's How My Summer's Going

By Leslie Quan

Right when I finished my last final, I told myself that I would take a much needed break. Maybe that break went on for a little too long, but before I knew it, it was mid-June. After being asked several times if I had a job or internship this summer and replying several times that I do not have anything going on this summer, I decided that maybe I'll stick my head out and search for a summer job.

I applied to a few jobs in my area and secured a few interviews. From Clean Juice to Starbucks to Aloha Smoothie Company (to a consideration of Chick-fil-A—please don't come for me, I'm just trying to make money like everyone else), I was excited at first until they told me how much they pay. After turning down barely-minimum-wage-paying jobs, I realized that my time was better spent at home.

This summer has been boring to say the least. I'm fairly certain that the boredom has really got to me and is driving me crazy. I don't think that this week's heat wave is helping me either. To cure some of my boredom, I've done a bit of reading, journaling, and crafting. The only consistent thing I've done this whole summer is go on afternoon or evening walks with my mom.

Even though I'm not working this summer, I've offered myself a bit of grace since this is my last summer as a college student. I'm trying to take this time to enjoy myself and relax as much as I can before another hectic school year. (And I'm not just saying this because I got rejected from every internship I applied to—yikes!).

Besides not having an internship this summer, I've actually been able to get some things done that have been on my to-do list for a long time now. I finally made that podiatrist appointment that I've been holding off on for no reason, I've read three whole books thus far, I cleaned my mom's car, and I planted flowers in our garden.

Even though I'm not gaining any work experience this summer, I've learned to come to terms with that. I know that there's going to be plenty of time and opportunities to work after I graduate college in the spring. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm not in a rush to get into the workforce (at least not right now) and I'm just trying to enjoy this blistering summer as it continues to melt me into oblivion.