While students may feel like summer ended on Aug. 9, the truth is that it officially came to an end on Sept. 23 at 2:50 am. Yet, to many, memories of summer–long days at the beach, warm weather, hanging out with friends–are something to continually grasp for when you need a break from homework and 6:30 am alarms. The slight sadness felt by summertime lovers when faced with fall raises the question: How should you say goodbye to summer?
One way is by reflecting on all the wonderful things about summer. “My favorite part of summer is being tan and hanging out with my friends,” said sophomore River McMillian. Senior Jackson Farley, agrees, noting that working and spending time with his friends was his favorite and most memorable part of the summer of 2023.
Another idea to successfully transfer from season to season is to take time to reminisce on all your best memories from summer by looking at old photos and videos. “I look back at all the photos that I took and remind myself that next summer will come before I know it,” said McMillian.
Summer time means swim time for many people. “My favorite part of summer is going to the pool and playing mermaids with my friends,” said sophomore Victoria Scotto DiVetta. “I’m sad to say goodbye to summer because now I can’t go swimming outside,” she added.
But this isn’t strictly accurate. True, the Lake Monticello pool may be closed, but the Lake’s five beaches are open all year, and the Rivanna River is just a short hike away down the trails at Pleasant Grove. Unusually warm fall days, historically referred to as an “Indian summer,” often pop up here and there during October and even November in Fluvanna. So take advantage of those times to recreate the feeling of summer beach days.
After celebrating all the best parts of summer, if you find you’re still not ready to let those summer sensations fade away, there are ways to hang onto them. One way is by making a summer music playlist. McMillian recommends Could You be Loved by Bob Marley and Sundress by ASAP Rocky, while Scotto DiVetta recommends Summertime Sadness by Lana Del Ray, Flowers by Miley Cyrus, and What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction. You can also go on Spotify and search “summer songs,” or “summer playlist.”
A second way to keep a grip on your summertime smiles is by making time to do the things you love doing in summer. Make time to see your friends, get outside on a hike to Humpback Rock to see the fall leaves, and eat whatever tasty treats that remind you of summer.
“I still eat popsicles in the fall. They taste a lot like summer to me,” Scotto DiVetta said.
For other students, their favorite summer flavor is a drink. “Strawberry acai lemonades from Starbucks always bring back memories of the summer,” McMillian said.
One of the best ways to help you move on from summer is to get excited for fall. For ideas of what to look forward to this coming season, check out this Fall Fun Guide, grab a pumpkin spice latte drink, or try out some fall make up trends.
