BACK SCHOOL PAGE 14 theconnectionsnj.com he sun is setting earlier now, but the thought of long summer days still brings a smile to my face. In June, the thought of summer brought a little sigh of relief, which I will undoubtedly long for again very soon. The nights are getting chillier, and the sun is setting earlier. It is time to gear up for a long school year filled with homework, tests, and packed schedules. Gone, for now, are those precious months of freedom. They felt like a reward, a chance to hit the reset button. While we occasionally slept late and definitely hit that reset button this past summer, for us teenagers, summer was about so much more. For many teenagers, summer can be a time for exploration and discovery. It offered an opportunity to pursue passions through volunteering, learning new skills, or taking online courses. There is less pressure and more time for experimentation and the discovery of interests in summertime. This self-discovery can help us to develop an understanding of ourselves and our future goals. Summer can also be a time for building stronger connections. The relaxed pace and more flexible schedule allowed for spontaneous hangouts with friends, social gatherings, and trips. These experiences created memories and strengthened bonds. The season also offered chances to reconnect with family, enjoy time together, and perhaps work on a home improvement project or two (with my Dad-he’s the King of Home Improvement). Summer is a time for growth and personal development. Summer sports or even pre-season training for fall sports kept us in shape and helped us to cross-train. Part-time jobs or internships taught us responsibility and financial literacy. Volunteering helped us give back to our community while providing us with valuable experience. Even dedicating time to test prep and summer homework made us grow. This time spent made us better prepared for rigorous fall classes and extra-curricular schedules (thanks to my Mom-she’s the Queen of Scheduling). For me, finding a balance between structured activities and downtime was essential. Too much idleness leads to boredom, while too much pressure and overscheduling makes summer feel like another school year. Finding this balance allowed me to relax and return to school refreshed and ready. My summer was filled with sunshine, swimming, and late nights with friends. I found time to explore passions, build relationships, and work towards personal growth. It was a season of opportunity. I know, like me, many teenagers found a way to make the most of it. And now back to our regularly scheduled programming… Constantin is a recent graduate of Warren Middle School. He spends his summers swimming for the Middlebury Marlins in Vermont. He has many interests that keep him busy like soccer, robotics, theater and is a rising chef. Pingry will be getting a brilliant addition to the class of 2029 in the fall. TEEN VOICE Summer A Reflection By Constantin Bellmann T rigorous fall classes and extra-curricu another school year. Finding this bal relationships, and work towards per
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NzA2NDY0