Ahhhhhh. The long anticipated winter break. It's hard to believe that we have reached the half-way point of this year of college, and before we know it, summer will be upon us. I have thoroughly enjoyed my first semester of college, but I was ready to come home to see my family and friends and finally relax, especially after finals. However, we all reach that point where we begin to miss our newfound freedom at college while we are home for the holiday. Here are the stages that every college student will go through over the long break:

1. Bliss

As soon as I get off of the interstate and turn onto my street, I instantly feel myself start to relax. The feeling of finally being back in my hometown after so long is therapeutic and blissful. All I want to do is crash onto my usual spot on the couch and relax after working so hard this semester.

2. Excitement

When you pull into your driveway, your mom opens the door and runs out to your car screaming "You're home! You're home!" This can be a little overwhelming at first, but you have to admit, you are happy to see her too. Then you walk in the door and see who you have missed the most: your dogs. They will undoubtedly jump all over you, kissing you everywhere. Then you'll see your dad and siblings, and discover that your brother has basically moved into your room. In the end, you are definitely excited to see your family again, as much as you might hate to admit it.

3. Reuniting with hometown friends

After you have caught up with your family, you probably want to see your friends. If you are like me, you did not go to college with all of your high school friends, so you probably have not seen or talked to them in a while (besides on the phone). Nothing beats hugging your best friends for the first time in so long, and telling each other all of the latest college gossip. You immediately make plans to do all of your favorite things together. It feels so good to be reunited!

4. Home cooked meals

You probably make your mom buy all of the ingredients to make your favorite dinners that you have missed so much. College cafeteria food gets very old...

5. You do all of your favorite things that you've missed

You hit up all of your favorite restaurants and do all of your old favorite activities. You may also find a newfound appreciation for your hometown.

6. Your family begins to annoy you

You realize that during the first week (and maybe a little of the second week) that you have been able to deal with your family, but soon, all of their usual quirks start to get on your nerves. You begin to wonder how you ever lived in the same house with them before you moved away to college. Not to mention, you actually have to tell people where you are going when you leave the house. "Do I have to ask permission to go to a party? Do I have a curfew?" These are confusing questions that you shouldn't assume the answers to.

7. Boredom

Friends get busy, you run out of money, and you can only watch so many shows and movies on your DVR and Netflix. You find yourself with nothing to do, and you begin to actually miss school.

8. You miss your college friends

Sure, hometown friends are great, but you realize that the new friends you have made at college are equally as great, and you miss seeing them everyday in the cafeteria and hanging out in their dorm room.

9. Then you realize that you should appreciate your time at home while you can

You fully embrace the fact that you may be bored, but know that this is the only time that you will be completely care-free until summer. No papers to write, no online assignment due at midnight, and no alarms on your phone. Just kick back, hang out with your friends and family for the last week, and eat as much free food as you can.

10. Before you know it, break is over

Just like that, winter break is behind you. You make your mom squeeze in one last load of laundry, load your car up, and once again bid farewell to your family, friends, bed, shower, dogs, and hometown. You may feel a little sad, but just know that your home is always there, and summer will be here soon enough.

So here's to another great semester at college!