As school closes and summer approaches within a week, students’ excitement is growing. With this excitement comes hopes, plans and various expectations, but also a harsh reality of what may not be possible with today’s circumstances. Many students are confronting their expectations with reality in the hopes of truly fulfilling their summer.

“My goal this summer is to live life to the fullest,” sophomore Camila Bossio said. “With so many canceled and postponed plans, I still want to make it the best summer I can.” 

One of the most common doubts pertaining to this summer is the remaining limitations and safety procedures that are continuing in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Last summer I was supposed to attend a Harry Styles concert which got postponed due to COVID-19,” sophomore Lily Purse said. “Many volleyball camps I planned to attend were cancelled too.”

With many disappointments stemming from summer 2020, students are feeling uncertain of the summer to come. 

“The only doubt I have of having a fulfilled summer is the restrictions still in place,” Purse said. “I hope that this summer is not like the last due to the pandemic.” 

On the bright side, however, with the production of COVID-19 vaccines, several of the previous masking and social distancing rules have been loosened. According to npr.org, about 41% of the U.S. population has been vaccinated, with around 3 million shots being given per day. The eligibility for the vaccines are also being expanded. 

“I have some faith that I may be able to have a good summer because of the vaccine,” Bossio said. “Fully vaccinated people are not required to wear masks in some places, so I am pretty optimistic that things can go back to normal soon.” 

Of course, the pandemic has not officially ended and continues to exist, so it is important for those who have not been vaccinated to continue respecting the regulations for each store, restaurant or any other public place. 

“Some advice I have for others is to be safe with your plans for the break,” Purse said. “Although the pandemic may not seem to be such a threat as it was, it is still very much a real threat that can affect others much more than you think.” 

Along with COVID-19, another arising disturbance is the considerably shorter summer for students. The 2020-2021 school year began late on August 31st, and the last day of school is scheduled for June 11th. With this extension, the summer break was reduced to eight weeks. 

“I feel that we will have to rush all of our plans with the shortened break,” Bossio said. “In my opinion, we won’t have enough free time to do everything we want.” 

Normally, summer is around two months long, giving students enough time to recover from the grueling school year. 

“I think that summer won’t be very disrupted due to the short break,” Purse said. “It may feel a lot shorter, and going back to school may seem more of a bother and harder to get back into after the difficult year we’ve had.” 

Despite the worries, many students are excited for what is to come. After the ups and downs of this strange school year, they are ready to relax and unwind after months of hard work. 

“This summer, just go out with friends, spend time with your family and have fun,” Bossio said. “Just live your life to the fullest. We deserve it after this rollercoaster of a year.”