HIGH LIFE : A WEEKLY FORUM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS : Summer Blues: Fading Tan, School Opening

Students spend nearly 10 months each year waiting for those precious and few days of summer. But even the most idyllic existence can be ruined by something as trivial as a peeling tan or parents nagging you to get a job.

Although there may be no cure, Hot Topics wonders: “What gives you the summertime blues?”

“All my friends that are leaving for college, and I’ll still be stuck here.” Leigh Ellis, 17, senior, Woodbridge

“Knowing that school is only a month away.” Jason Elliot, 16, sophomore, Dana Hills

“Not knowing where anybody is, except that they’re not in school.” Mai Le, 14, freshman, Orange

“Turning into a couch potato with nothing to do except watch ‘Days of Our Lives.’ ” Susan Whitman, 17, junior, El Modena

“Seeing my parents all the time because they’re teachers, so they have summers off, too.” Sylvia Ramirez, 15, freshman, Canyon

“Getting my hopes set on a killer day at the beach and getting there to find there’s no waves.” Tad Martin, 14, freshman, Canyon

“Being able to spend all my days at the mall but not having the money to buy anything.” Jana Thomas, 17, junior, Newport Harbor

“Not seeing my math class crush anymore.” Peter Stevens, 16, sophomore, Edison

“Waiting for a tan that has yet to visit me.” Susan Spiedler, 14, freshman, Orange

“Thinking about going back to school again.” Jennifer Russell, 16, junior, Esperanza

“Having to get up and go to work.” Jeremy Bender, 16, sophomore, Edison

“Getting a sunburn and having my tan peel off.” Jackie Davis, 15, sophomore, Trabuco Hills

“Having nothing to do anymore between 8 and 3.” Jeff Parker, 15, freshman, Brea-Olinda

“Waiting for the raging parties that keep turning out to be bombs.” Jackie Tillman, 17, junior, Canyon

“Knowing that my sunburn is going to peel off right after it turns into the perfect tan.” Jill Redmond, 15, freshman, Tustin

“Going to the beach and wishing I had lost five pounds last month.” Jennifer Ashford, 16, sophomore, Edison

“Not getting to see this cute senior I had a crush on all year.” Jessica Morley, 15, sophomore, El Toro

“Missing my friends from school.” Susan Anderson, 14, freshman, Canyon

“Knowing that summer is only temporary and I have to go back to school soon.” Jeff Stevens, 15, freshman, Edison

“Going to the beach on a day when the waves are bogus.” Trevor Wright, 15, freshman, Canyon

“Waiting for the ultimate party that is never going to happen on a week night.” Eric West, 15, freshman, El Toro

“Having nothing to do all day when everyone else does.” Justin Steps, 14, freshman, Canyon

“The hot weather. I like rain much better.” Shannon Davis, 14, freshman, Orange

“Boredom. It’s killing me.” Jason Stillman, 15, sophomore, Esperanza

“Not having enough money to go out.” Jeff Warden, 15, sophomore, Dana Hills

“Waiting for school to come back.” Kim Tran, 14, freshman, El Modena

“Not having a job.” Kevin Oshman, 14, freshman, Edison

“Peeling off a tan.” Jeff Hicks, 15, freshman, El Dorado

Next week’s Hot Topic:

What do you miss most about being a kid?