As the days, weeks and months roll by, I can’t help but wonder — where’d all the time go?

Summer is often slow days, chill mornings, late night gelato runs and conversations with friends that sometimes flow into early hours of the morning just in time for breakfast at sunrise.

As I reflect on the last few months, I think back to my first article of this summer, “Opinion: Tips on how to use your summer to recover from spring semester burnout.” For those wondering, I did indeed recover from spring burnout. In the article I go on about my summer itinerary, my plans to lounge poolside, catch up on some reading, attend live music, relax, etc.

I can happily report everything I mentioned has been checked off my summer to-do list. In addition to said list, I even lived out my coffeehouse singer dreams and performed some of my favorite songs during my summer series.

Summer is the perfect time to not only unwind but also to explore our interests outside of work and school.

While sometimes my schedule is jam-packed, I’m also a firm believer in the art of doing nothing at all. Some days, I did just that.

Those nothing-at-all days are days spent without touching my phone or setting an alarm and while living in pajamas or a bathing suit, even having gelato for breakfast — and what about it?

I think I spent my time wisely. Actually, I know I did.

I hope you also spent your time wisely and had a fulfilling and restorative summer so far. But if you’re not feeling satisfied with the past three months that came and went, don’t fret. There’s still time to cross off a few items on your list before it’s back to regularly-scheduled programming.

I get it. Time often feels like it’s moving at an accelerated rate. One moment, you’re riding rollercoasters on school field trips with childhood friends, the next, you’re riding the rollercoaster of life full of flips, dips, turns, as well as unexpected ups and downs.

How we seize every moment, opportunity and experience in life is paramount and should never be taken for granted.

I happened to be talking to my brother the other day, and I asked him if he accomplished everything he wanted to on his summer break. He said yes and went on to give a detailed list.

It’s refreshing to hear another person happy with their summer choices.

Unfortunately, I think some people spend so much time focusing on what they didn’t do, what they don’t have and who they don’t know that they simply miss out and waste time.

Instead of trying to point the finger at someone or something else, we must acknowledge we’re the ones responsible for our satisfaction with life or lack thereof.

Though life sometimes throws us curveballs, the truth is our lives are mostly built on our choices, our yes’s, our no’s, our what if’s.

The decisions we make ultimately revolve around time. Time flies whether you’re having fun or not, so you might as well have fun.

And while fun looks different for everyone, I feel like trading a doom scroll on TikTok for a deep dive into a novel is more productive and enjoyable. A quick stroll through your neighborhood, scenic drive or a quiet, relaxing evening at home is a better use of time than watching other people live their lives on your Instagram feed.

While relaxation and downtime is necessary during the last weeks of summer, there’s a huge difference between intentional resting and bed-rotting.

Stop bed-rotting, take that road trip you’ve been putting off, organize your neglected spaces and catch up with your hometown friends before packing it up and heading back to school this fall. You never know what exciting experiences await you.

Time and timing are everything.

Ava Francis is a 22-year-old journalism major from New Orleans residing in Texas.