It is that time of year again where some are heading back to school, others are leaving home for the first time, but for those of us who came back after freshman year in college; this one is for you. Freshman year was amazing; you were able to transcend many situations, meet new people and make new friends. It was also the year that many students found themselves in another country and another culture thousands of miles from home. While some were eager to leave the nest, there was also that sense of homesickness that overwhelmed and made you grab your phone and scroll through the old photographs of your home. However, home is where you start developing who you are, where you feel secure and after freshman year, for most of us home became the school’s campus. Summer came and it was time to head back to where we came from, excitement and joy pushed us to make Summer’16 a memorable because after all, we now seem to appreciate more what we once were so eager to leave behind. The memories made will keep us moving forward and the old memories will be updated with the ones that were made this Summer. Summer 2016 has ended, it is time to head back home and not see our families till the holidays, but till then here are 10 reasons why I will miss being home for the Summer.
1. Mom’s Food
The way to my heart has always been food, being from Puerto Rico I will definitely miss the Latin cuisine my mom makes me. Besides, there is nothing better than homemade food (especially after getting sick of the cafeteria)
2. My dog
You may not have a dog but maybe a pet, and if not a pet perhaps your friends pet. The truth is that for us animal lovers one of the things we crave the most is being able to pet an animal. The closest thing around is either a professor’s dog or that squirrel that seems to hang out at the same tree branch next to your window. Since there is no way of having a pet on the dorm that’s not a fish we must engage in stalking our pets through the whole summer so they can catch up on our love.
3. The Beach
My favorite place is the beach. Back home there are beautiful beaches everywhere and it’s always a fun time. With the amazing weather and your friends next to you anything else in the world seems to not matter
4. My friends
Sure you make tons of new friends and miss them a lot during the break, but being able to bond in new ways with the ones that have been there for you since day one is priceless. Summer isn’t the same without them and as much as it hurts to say goodbye, you definitely know that it will be like nothing changed the next time.
5. Family
Being away from home makes you get used to living alone and setting your own rules, this changes once you move back home for the Summer. In a way it is weird at first to adjust, but after a while you start getting back on track and enjoying spending time with your family. They are the ones that are eager to know how your experience was and its your moment to truly rant about the ups and downs of college life. Family is one of the most important supports there will be and Summer is a great way to reconnect with them in a whole new way.
6. Being able to do nothing
Being a college student is a load of work. Homework’s, readings, quizzes, midterms it all is very stressful. Being away from all this for three months is a liberating experience, a complete necessity that enables us to move away from the ticking bomb of a nervous breakdown. College is hard and what better way to compensate yourself than with some nice relaxing days where you can choose to do nothing.
7. Those summer nights
Summer parties are the best, there is no 9 am class the next day, there are happy hours everywhere and everybody is available because most people are free during the summer at night. It is an amazing time for old friends to reunite and catch up on how they are doing.
8. Day Drinking
Sure you can day drink during the school year but Summer is the perfect time to do so. The weather is perfect and you can hydrate yourself with some beer (covered in a coffee mug of course).
9. Summer Outfits
Shorts, bikinis, and crop tops for everyone. No more hiding under layers of clothes, Summer is the best time to show off them curves and find confidence within yourself. Whether it is by putting that bikini on, rocking the crop tops or even wearing shorts, Summer is the only time where there will be no one judging you for it and even if they do, who cares!
10. The Adventures
During the Summer there are endless of possibilities of how your day may end up. It may be at the beach, on a bonfire, at a bar, at a lake no matter where Summer is a great time to start bonding with each other in outdoor activities. Sure college is also full of new adventures but nothing beats a summer night with your friends at the lake.
