Going home for break can be amazing. No schoolwork, limited responsibilities, and a fridge full of food. What could be better?
1. The Homecoming
You arrive...slightly drowsy. The semester has taken a toll on you. As excited as they are, your parents hold back and give a simple hug before you immediately throw down your bags and greet your pets with much enthusiasm. You then lay down on the couch in preparation for the break.
2. The Arrival of Food
That first homemade meal is always the best. There's something about the food at home that's different from when you're away at school. Maybe it's that it actually has flavor. Or a resemblance to a real meal. Just think, there's an entire fridge of food here ready for consumption. It's going to be a great week.
3. The First Shower
NO FLIP-FLOPS. This is one of the best showers you have experienced in a while. There is enough space to turn around. An abundance of towels. Freedom.
4. The Meeting of Friends
You are either really excited to see old friends from high school or you dread it with every fiber of your being. Either way, you'll probably run into at least one or two, whether you want to or not.
5. The Netflix Binge
Maybe its a new show you just discovered, or maybe a series you never get tired of, but you just cannot get enough. Holding that TV remote will be like holding a magic wand. It is important to note that the "break Netflix binge" is a different experience than the typical "procrastination Netflix binge," as there are no responsibilities you are putting off. This is both a freeing and relaxing time.
6. The Mid-Week Lull
By this point, everything exciting about home has started to lose its appeal. You miss your friends at school and everything there is to do there. Sleeping until noon is great and all, but the lack of social interaction is starting to get to you. Good news is, you aren't writing a paper right now!
7. The FOMO Crash
By now, everyone who went somewhere warm and tropical for break has started posting pictures on Instagram. Even the friends who went on service trips or short term study abroad trips will be filling up your newsfeed. This may lead to the dreaded FOMO experience. Just remember, the Snapchats of beaches and bikinis may be endless, but at least you probably won't be going back to school with a bad sunburn.
8. The Last Supper
This is both a wonderful and sad event. The last supper is usually full of great food and the looming reminder that you will be making your own meals once again, or worse, going to the dining hall. You try to remind yourself of the good aspects of going back to school, but all you can do is eat and slowly cry yourself to sleep.
9. The Goodbye
You hug your parents and siblings as you put the bags full of clean laundry and leftovers in the car. You spend an extra few minutes as you part with your pets for what feels like the last time. Finally, you get on your way back to school.
10. The Mourning Period
This is the final stage, which may last anywhere from one hour to the rest of the semester. Dreams of food and clean clothes arriving at your door, as if by magic, haunt you. You may hang out with friends or study to keep yourself busy and distracted, but the want for home never truly fades. However, soon enough, you get to go home and start this all over again.
