Coming home for Thanksgiving break can be an exciting time since you get to see your family, the high school friends you swore you’d never lose touch with, and most importantly, your pets. The holiday season is approaching and you’re having a great time away from classes. However, after being away from home for so long, you notice some things when you get back. Here’s a list of what I noticed my first day back in Massachusetts.
1. It is colder in the north
First thing I was reminded of when I left Logan Airport was New England’s reputable winters. I forgot what weather below 55 degrees is like. We also can’t forget about the wind chill factor.
2. Driving
You may forget where the gas pedal is after a couple months, but that does not stop the fact that driving a car is the best stress reliever there is. That is, unless you decide to go out on Black Friday.
3. Home-cooked meals
You can only eat pizzas, grilled cheeses, pastas, and bagels for so long. Be sure to embrace the time eating out of the dining hall. Also be sure to thank the cook. (Thanks, Mother.)
4. Your bed will always be there for you
I cannot express how much better it is to sleep on a cushioned queen-sized bed than the tiny twin beds your college expects you to sleep on. Make sure to catch up on all the sleep you lost during your all-nighters.
5. Having your own bedroom
Privacy is a beautiful thing, especially when the room isn’t the size of a closet.
6. High school
You look back at your yearbook in amazement at your accomplishments and laugh at how you thought you would miss high school. Everyone says college is better than high school, and that is incredibly true.
7. Underclassmen friends
Underclassmen that you met through sports teams, drama, or even had a class with still look up to you. Be sure to pay them a visit and talk to them about your college experience! Answer any questions they have since they will be with you sooner than you think.
8. Desk space
How do colleges expect us to take proper notes when you can’t even fit a piece of paper on the desks in class?
9. You still have work to do!
Is it really Thanksgiving break if you bring all your textbooks and have started crying for finals already? Yes it may be a break, but let’s be real, there is no such thing as being “finished” with work in college. There is always something that you could be doing.
10. Your dysfunctional family
Why my younger brothers choose to have a fist fight in the middle of Cheesecake Factory, I wish I knew. Every college student comes back to see the flaws in their family, but we still love them.
11. Your family cares about you
Sometimes we forget to appreciate all the sacrifices our families make to give us all the privileges we have. Your family will want to spend all your time with you, and you’ll probably want to spend a good amount of that time with your friends. No matter what, be sure to thank all those who support you this Thanksgiving season.
