UTAH TECH UNIVERSITY'S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE | March 28, 2024

Students reminisce on their favorite summer 2022 memories

Summer break happens to be students’ favorite part of the year, it passes by so fast; however, the memories made during that period will live forever. Utah Tech University is celebrating the first week of school. Misha Mosiichuk| Sun News Daily.

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Although summer may be over, the memories students have made will never be forgotten.

While some students were focusing on work and making major life decisions over the break, others were enjoying the scenery of southern Utah, traveling around the world, and moving to St. George. Whether students found work locally or back in their hometowns, many discovered their favorite memories of the summer were when they were making money. 

Allie Robbins, a senior exercise science major from Delta, worked thirty-hour weeks as a massage therapist at her own business, Läka

“The comments I had people give me this summer were the best,” Robbins said. “People thought I had been working for five or ten years, and I hadn’t even been licensed for a full year. That was just a really good compliment knowing that I am in the right field of work and doing what I love.”

After being licensed last July and starting her business in January, Robbins has returned to Utah Tech from a two-year gap to finish what she started. 

“It’s nice that I see the light at the end of the tunnel knowing that I will finish my degree,” Robbins said.

Other students made life-changing decisions, throwing them even further into the adult world. For some, attending college marks the first step of transitioning into adulthood, but a close second for Utah residents includes getting married.

Brandon Blair, a junior finance major from West Jordan, tied the knot with his fiance in July. 

“The whole summer was me leading up to the wedding, so it was a little stressful,” Blair said. “I didn’t get the normal break that you get over the summer, but the wedding went good. The stress was all for nothing in the end.”

After beginning a new chapter of his life, Blair returned to school with a new addition to his family.

“It’s definitely tough being back in school just because the first couple days of the semester are hard to get back in the swing of things, but being married definitely makes it nicer,” Blair said. 

With Utah being home to five national parks, 43 state parks, and many other spots to enjoy outdoor activities, students chose to spend their summer exploring Utah.

James Barrow, a sophomore biology major from Keene, New Hampshire, enjoyed some of his favorite hobbies including mountaineering and big-wall rock climbing.  

“Being able to get up these multiple thousand foot walls in less than six hours was super cool,” Barrow said.

After morning classes were eliminated from many schedules, students looked forward to sleeping in during the summer. As for Barrow, 2 a.m. alarm clocks allowed him to avoid the heat of southern Utah while enjoying traditional mountain climbing. 

“Just being able to mentally and physically push myself while mountain climbing makes life seem really easy,” Barrow said.  

Students also enjoyed venturing out of Utah. They traveled to other states and countries to enjoy different sceneries, attractions, and cultures. 

Justin Thornley, a freshman general education major from St. George, traveled alone to Spain to visit his family.

“Traveling was really fun,” Thornley said. “It was a different experience, especially going all alone. I definitely thought it was really fun going to the beach, traveling around and seeing a different culture than mine.”

With the summer before college marking a new chapter of freedom for many students, Thornley was able to practice his newfound independence while traveling abroad.

“I’d say I had an amazing summer because going to Spain by myself was a new experience for me,” Thornley said. “It highlighted more independence and how I can be my own person.”

While many students blocked out any thoughts of school, some students moved to the United States to prepare for their first semester at Utah Tech. 

Cirkeline Lundbert, a freshman business management major from Copenhagen, Denmark, flew over 10 hours to make St. George her new home. 

“Moving here was very stressful because I had to bring all my suitcases, pack up by myself, and move without my parents,” Lundbert said. 

Despite this big change, feelings of exhilaration filled students as they set up dorms, shopped for school, and settled down to prepare for this semester.

“Everything is exciting, like the whole experience of being alone and independent,” Lundbert said. “I think it’s very overwhelming, but I’ve already learned a lot about myself.”

Although summer break has come to an end, the memories made will long be remembered.