Summer...it's finally here! No more final projects and exams, no more roommate problems and for many college students, it can also mean no more homesickness. Many college students, especially freshmen, struggle with the transition into the new chapter of their lives where they meet all new friends, follow a new routine and have more freedom than they've ever seen before. Although this new life of yours is fun and all, there is definitely a huge relief after finals week when your parents are there to help you move your stuff or help you with the two-week pile of laundry you've been saving for them.
Nothing beats being home with your family. You missed the Sunday night gatherings, family game nights or your own quirky traditions. It's awesome at first! But then you hear your mom nag, "What do you think you're doing? Dishes in the dishwasher!" for the first time and suddenly it hits you...what have you gotten yourself into? Oh, don't worry. Only three more months left of this. These are some of the struggles of the college student returning home for the summer.
1. Having your parents wondering where you are all the time.
It's 4 a.m. and you come home from a night out with your old friends from high school or some coworkers. You forget that in college you don't really have anyone to report to about your location and coming home to your parents every night is definitely weird at first.
2. Having your parents give their opinion on every decision you make.
Why aren't you applying for an internship? Why would you wear those shorts? Is it really a good idea to go drink with your friends tonight? Are you ever going to get a job? Just wait...they're still coming.
3. Your parents expecting you to clean up after yourself to their standards.
You're used to being exhausted after making yourself dinner after a long day at school and having no problem leaving your dishes in the sink overnight. Normally, your clothes, shoes and other items are thrown around your room and you're just proud you can find your bed. Having your parents make you keep your room clean all the time is the worst...
4. When your family is expecting you to catch up on all the chores you missed while you were gone.
No, no it's okay...I didn't have plans on my Saturday afternoon off anyway.
5. Reliving sibling feuds all over again.
Yes, a part of you missed having your little brother or sister around again...but part of you remembers wanting to constantly bang their head against a wall.
6. Listening to your parents tell exaggerated, embarrassing stories about you to other family and friends.
Sure, tell them the embarrassing story about my awful homecoming date from my freshman year of high school. It's not like you haven't already told it millions of times. Can't hurt for one more person to hear it.
7. Not knowing exactly what to tell your parents about your college experiences.
You have an awesome story about the first time you went out with your friends and while you want to tell them about how you almost got a spontaneous tattoo...probably not the best idea.
8. Not knowing how to handle your situation with your significant other at your parents' house.
It sure can be awkward when you're used to having them over at your place or going over to theirs without any rules or expectations during the school year and then suddenly living with your parents for three months. Can they stay over? Is this weird? Oh well...
9. Being freaked out by all the changes in your house.
It's always fun when your old bedroom becomes your family's new workout room/laundry room/man cave.
10. Dreading the return back to classes, loving the time spent with your family but missing your friends you met in college more than anything.
