Aah, college. It’s amazing to be out on your own, but even the most independent of us miss home sometimes. What better time to go home than spring break? Whether you’re planning to stay at home, or live it up in some tropical destination, you’re sure to find things on this list you can’t help but agree with.

1. Real food!!!

Regardless of how decent your dining halls may be, there’s just no competing with Mom (or Dad, if he's the cook of the family). Home-cooked food (especially when your parents make your favorites) hits that spot that not even Mexican night at the Crest can reach.

2. Your own bed

I’m lucky to have a pretty comfortable bed in my dorm. But it’s a twin. There’s nothing like settling in to your own (full or larger) bed for a good 12-hour nap. Being able to stretch diagonally to cover the whole bed is a feeling I come to dearly miss being cramped in a twin.

3. All the pets

I look forward to being attacked by a 65 pound ball of fur every time I go home. It’s hands-down one of the best parts. If I get taken out by a big cuddly fluffball, well, then that’s how I was meant to go.

4. Your car

Especially true for first-year students who don’t get to have their cars on campus - we miss our babies! Blaring our music and screaming - I mean singing - along. Driving for the first time is always a fun adventure. Will I hit anything? Does that check engine light really matter? Will I stop in time? Aah. Good times.

5. Friends

If you’re fortunate enough to go to college with you best friends from high school, (I am not), then your spring break may line up with theirs (again, mine does not). If you’re just that blessed, enjoy crashing on each others couches and watching mindless Netflix until 3 a.m. talking about how much everything has changed and how much you love each other.

6. Hometown restaurants

We all have that one hole-in-the-wall joint that has the best Mexican, Chinese, Greek, etc. The food is pretty much guaranteed to be AH-MAZ-ING. When we get back into town, load us up!

7. Work

There’s a certain comfort that lies in going back to your job after a while away. Everything is all shiny and new again, until the ICEE machine seizes up again and the new guy almost sets fire to the store. But hey, at least you’re getting paid.

8. Trips

If you have the money to do so, then definitely go somewhere warm and sunny and beautiful! My dream spring break spot is Cancun or Punta Cana. But alas, I am broke. So home it is for me.

9. Sleep

Aah, sleep. The one thing every student is deprived of - besides money. No 8 a.m. class to struggle through. No roommate getting ready for their 8 a.m. No reasons to wake up early in general. Unless of course, your family is taking you to a free breakfast.

10. No schoolwork to do

Ha! Just kidding. We wish. I will be spending all my free time over break pouring over a semester-long research paper, a project due the next week and speech due the day after we get back. Because #college