‘Summer break’ is an evocative term. We often like to imagine summer break as a distinct period from the academic overload of the fall and winter semesters. We excite ourselves with the prospect of returning to hobbies and pursuits we don’t have time for during the school year. 

But summer ‘break’ is a misnomer for many of us. While for some, the term evokes picturesque scenes of beach trips and sunbathing, for others, it elicits the daunting image of sweaty lecture halls and sterile workplaces — and taking on summer courses or extra hours at work hardly seem like breaks. 

This compendium highlights some examples of the different ways that students spend their summers, aiming to uncover the fluidity of the concept of summer break.

— Shontia Sanders, Volume 146 Features Editor

Stopping to smell the cherry blossoms

I first noticed pink magnolias and cherry blossoms blooming outside Robarts Library in April, while studying for my exams. I knew then that I was witnessing the slow beginnings of a seasonal change, one which would hopefully usher in more freedom, less stress, and brighter, sunnier days. Summers in Toronto are one of my favourite parts of living in the city — the streets are teeming with lively markets, patio season is in full swing, and public parks pulse with life. The city feels reborn, and — at least for a little bit — so do I.

Still, I’ve noticed how difficult it is to slow down and recharge from the draining academic seasons. Even during the summer, when most students intend to enjoy a well-deserved break, I still feel like if I’m not doing everything I possibly can to advance myself academically or professionally, I’ll fall behind. 

During the school year, I love to daydream about all the activities that I’ll finally be able to do in the summer. But I’m often jolted out of those reveries by the harsh reality that the pressure to be productive doesn’t vanish as soon as the semester ends — no matter how much I’d like it to.

I’m therefore trying my hardest to make this summer count academically and professionally: I’m taking summer courses and working in a campus research lab. But I’m also making sure to prioritise my personal goals: I’ve carved out time to travel, and am excited to enjoy my moments of downtime, between working and studying, and simply be.  

In the midst of stress, cherry blossoms are blooming — and we should embrace that compulsion we all feel to stop what we’re doing and admire them for a few minutes, no matter how busy we may think we should be. 

— Jia Bawa

Working my way up

After two long years of searching, I finally landed not one, but two jobs. Just in time for summer, I’ll be working as both a warehouse associate and a security attendant. Admittedly, I was originally looking for less physically demanding positions, like a sales associate or receptionist. But after two years, I realized that if I wanted to make money, I had to be more open-minded. 

For my security job, I had to complete various pre-employment certifications, which ranged from video modules and quizzes to formal exams. Scheduling these around finals for school was tiresome, so I’m happy to have finally reached the summer, where my academic workload is minimal.

When I’m focused on my academic work during the school year, I take immense pride in devoting my attention to studying, readings, and crafting literary essays — my journalism major allows me to build upon my childhood fascination with the media journalism industry. As much as I value these periods of intense academic focus, I also enjoy my summers because they allow me to use that drive to keep myself busy when I’m out of school, earning my way forward. 

I’m not alone in this, as many U of T students use their summers to make money and support themselves. Some of us get full-time jobs, others juggle part-time work, and few are lucky enough to snag summer internships. This summer, I’m grateful for the opportunity to be in a position where I can work toward my financial goals. 

One of these goals involves working toward buying a car, since I don’t live near campus. Hopefully, I’ll be able to afford it by the end of this year. While travelling and partying sound much more fun than working all summer, I’m okay with giving them up to focus on my future. 

This summer, I’m learning that success doesn’t only happen in school; it can come from a warehouse floor, a security desk, or anywhere you show up and give your all to achieve your goals.

— Jazmeet Saxena

Navigating the job-hunt jungle

My final exams finished during the last week of April, marking the official end of my first year at U of T. At last, I’m free from the burden of coursework until September. It’s lovely to embrace the outdoors again after all the April rain and winter snow. My recent hobby of strolling along Queen Street and popping into indie bookstores has given me a new sense of freedom, but I fear it won’t last long.

While using the summer as an endless vacation is tempting, the reality of living expenses keeps me in check. I’m a commuter student, so the costs of daily transit trips demand my attention. In competitive environments like U of T and Toronto in general, it is often difficult to find the work opportunities necessary to pay these expenses. This difficulty only amplifies my disappointment and anxiety when, despite my best efforts, it seems like there are no workplaces that will have me. Sending out application after application only to receive nothing in response is increasingly demoralizing. 

At least I know there are others in the same boat. The combination of high interest rates and a surplus of job seekers is shrinking hiring pools and making finding a summer job growingly competitive. Connections have become key, and if you have none, it’s almost impossible to get a foot in the door. For U of T students, opportunities like the Work Study Summer Program are always an option, but only if you can also commit to taking summer classes. 

Rest and relaxation become elusive concepts when I’m constantly forced to contemplate my future. In the fleeting moments when I can take my mind off Toronto’s frustrating job market, however, I begin to appreciate the quotidian beauty of summer’s arrival. In my neighbourhood of East Toronto, flowers are in bloom, sprinklers are running, and the emerging sun has finally allowed people to read outside coffee shops. These seemingly mundane sightings remind me that summer is the season to pause and enjoy the little things in life, not to get wrapped up in stress and worry about things which are, admittedly, out of my control.

— Jacquelyne Goligher

The heat of jealousy 

The last time summer was fun for me was when I was thirteen — I still played competitive soccer; my family went back home biannually to Trinidad; and I read Rick Riordan’s literary masterpiece, Heroes of Olympus, for the first time. 

 

I feel such nostalgia for childhood summers because I could experience freedom from responsibilities and social pressure. Now, summer evokes an unprecedented sense of jealousy, as my Instagram feed is flooded with pictures of friends travelling overseas, going on road trips, relaxing on the beach, and partying. My summers as an adult consist of only one thing: being sweaty, muggy, slimy, clammy, and stuck at work.

 

I wear many hats in the summer, just never any that anyone else wants to try on. I have to work seven days a week to pay for school — last summer, I worked three jobs at the same time. While everyone else seems to be enjoying a break, I’m either stuck in an oppressively hot office, standing in front of a sales counter, or pulling weeds on the side of the road. The heat of the sun mixes with the heat of my jealousy, leaving me hot with frustration. 

 

The most fun I have in the summer is indulging in a rare night out with friends. But even then, I’m forced to play pretend. I pretend that I have more money to spend than I actually do; that I’m happy to be clubbing in the same city I’ve been in for what seems like forever; and when my friends ask me how I am, I pretend that I’m happily enjoying myself. 

 

I weasel my way through the summer and eagerly await the start of school. I’d rather rot away at school than at work — at least then I know I’m not alone in my misery. I get to feel like everyone else. 

 

— Xarnah Stewart

 

The perfect summer is all about balance

 

At U of T, the fall and winter semesters are packed with endless assignments, exams, and exhausting late-night study sessions. We barely have time to sleep or do things that make us happy. That’s why my summers are all about balance. While there remains some work and extracurricular activities to keep up with over the summer, it’s equally important to dedicate time to rest.

 

One way I plan out a balanced summer is by making a ‘summer to-do list’ on my phone’s notes app. My summer plans include regularly going to the gym, fixing my sleep schedule, working part-time at the U of T bookstore, preparing for my fall courses, and rotting in bed.

 

After ordering countless late-night takeout meals over the past eight months, going to the gym is a major summer priority for me. Similarly, I’m going to fix my sleep schedule by consistently being in bed before midnight. Maintaining consistent exercise and sleep routines will help me build my health back up after neglecting it during the school year. I hope to carry that routine forward into the fall and winter semesters as well, which is why the increased free time I have in the summer is perfect for building new habits. 

 

I also plan to continue working part-time at the U of T bookstore, as I have for the past year. Making extra money over the summer helps me justify my impulsive spending — which admittedly increases when I’m done with classes and have more free time. Using a bit of work to fund a bit of play is central to maintaining balance in the summer.

 

During the busy school year, it is often difficult for students to dedicate time to both our academic and our personal interests. As such, I’m dedicating my summer to a hobby I am passionate about, but didn’t have time for during the school year: learning about ancient Egyptian history. I hope to enrol in a minor in Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations, so having the summer to expand my knowledge is a perfect way to balance hobbies with academics. 

 

Finally, I want to dedicate considerable time to ‘bedrotting’ this summer. Activities like endless social media scrolling, binge watching and re-watching TV series, indulging in spontaneous mid-day naps, and finishing a book in a single sitting are essential to the practice of bedrotting. These relaxing activities make up for all my overexertion during the school year. And like I said: the perfect summer is all about balance.

 

— Maahi Patel