For high school students, sweltering weather has become synonymous with freedom, a sign that summer has arrived. After a pale year of being locked inside, students finally have the opportunity and time to be outside doing as they please. Many, however, find their attention being drawn to school rather than the swimming pool.

After graduating middle school, students’ lifestyles change. It is not only school days that are allotted to education, but summer as well. At the very least, all Dreyfoos students have summer assignments that occupy between a day and the whole summer. Some, however, find their days of ‘fun under the sun’ shortened and replaced with college preparation, improving a resume and summer classes. High school is not a 180 day dedication, but a full year career.

“A pretty decent amount of my summer is dedicated to summer work due to the amount of AP classes I enrolled in,” dance junior Lauren Pagano said. “If I weren’t in high school, I would have more free time.”

Though this work may seem overwhelming and unnecessary at times, students realize that abandoning some free time in favor of more practical uses is part of the maturing process. Visual senior Ashley Obel embraces summer’s new purpose and utilizes the opportunity to its fullest.

“This summer I am attending a program called Art on the Farm in Rathnure, Ireland. Moments before I boarded my flight, I finished the book I had to read for English,” Obel said. “I’ve been doing as much work as possible while I am here so that I will have pieces for my summer assignments and for future requirements like Scholastics and Young Arts.”

The evolution of summer seems to be accepted among students. Many have discovered the perfect balance of work and play. Quite a few students have found interesting ways of incorporating assignments and college research into their summer.

“I came to New York and I’m going to be here all summer,” visual junior Alli Reyes said. “I’ve just been living the city life and seeing what it’s like because I might want to go to college here.”

So while the purposes behind student’s summer activities have changed, the hopes and plans for good times have not ceased. Neither academics nor amusement parks take the upper hand because they are both important.

“Find a balance by setting aside days where you rest and where you work,” keyboard senior Brianna Seanor said. “Making commitments to yourself is the easiest way to keep an equal balance between work and play.”