Pre-college plans focus on making most of time

WELL, I CAN breathe a sigh of relief. I have been done with high school for more than a week now and am currently counting down the days until the lucky day of graduation: Friday the 13th! This last week or so has been delightful and oh-so enjoyable; yet I am feeling some void.

For the past four years of my life, at least, I have been consumed with schoolwork on top of sports on top of other responsibilities. Now, as I am about to be graduated and move into another responsibility-filled time of my life, I have a three-month hiatus with, well, nothing.

Though growing in its opportunities for teens, little ol' Fredericksburg still doesn't have that cool appeal, where we can find something to do every night. So, my friends and I have created a list of all the adventures we want to go on: lake houses, Kings Dominion, camping, river rafting. You name it, we probably have it on our list.

In addition to being with my best friends before I get ready to depart and go to college (wahoo-wa!), I also want to be a homebody for a little bit and just spend time with my family. While I was reading a magazine the other day, I came across a list of 10 things to do before college, and one of the items listed was "Get to know your parents." While I feel I am very close with my parents, I definitely realize that I should hang out with them and enjoy our time together because, before I know it, they'll be dropping me off at college.

Finally, my parents will emphasize the importance of maintaining a good work ethic and managing my money before heading off to college. If I want to cross off all of the fun things on my list this summer, I must work to get the money to do so. It pains me to be unable to lie outside in the sun all day--if I could, believe me, I would--however, I realize the importance of having a job before college because it teaches responsibility.

As the movie "RENT" says in one of its songs, "No day but today." This summer, I plan to fill today and the days that follow with memories that will last a lifetime. Life as I know it is about to change, and I want to live up my last few months in the 'Burg.

Jordan McDaniel is a rising first-year student at the University of Virginia.

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