Vi’s View: Relaxing, Chilling, Cruising 

It’s been so long since I can remember a summer when I wasn’t worried about college. Ever since the summer before eighth grade, my summers have been filled with activities related to college in some way.

Last summer, I worked a part-time job to save up some money for college. The summer before that I moved halfway across the country to have a better education career. And, the summer before that I took summer classes to take more college-level courses while still in high school — I think you get the gist.

But this summer, I’m already in college, getting ready for my sophomore year. The question of “Will I get into college?” no longer lingers in the back of my head.

So, for the first time in a while, I have the time to relax comfortably and enjoy my summer break. For example, one of my friends and I watched the fireworks on the Fourth of July at the Amphitheater in Bald Hill in Farmingville. Although we got there wayyy too early and proceeded to spend the next four hours discussing random philosophical things while lying on the grass, the 30-minute fireworks show was worth it. It was a lot more thrilling than watching a firework pop up from your neighbor’s yard through your window, something that I’ve done for many years. Even the collective “Woah” and “Wow” from the children surrounding us reminded me of watching the fireworks for the first time when I was younger.

It’s the first summer where I can heal my inner child, partaking in activities that I missed out on as I was so focused on getting into college. Now, I don’t have to worry about getting into college anymore. Instead, I can spend my time making my way through the IHOP menu.