Being home for the holidays is something that college kids dream of from the moment they get back from Thanksgiving break. Winter break is just long enough to unwind from a long semester and recharge for the spring. But, it's also that weird mix between being too long and not long enough. Because of this, it tends to be a roller coaster ride.
1. SLEEP.
Finals often leave us sleep-deprived zombies, so we sleep for like fourteen hours that first night home. Please let us catch up on our rest, so we're not cranky.
2. Real food? YES PLEASE.
Whether we've been eating cafeteria food, take out, or attempting to make our own, it is a sad substitute for good, old fashioned home cooking. We are SO excited to eat real food that actually tastes good that we may not be able to think of anything else.
3. Wow, that was way too much food.
Our eyes were way bigger than our stomachs, and now we may be sick. But if we can hold down six shots of terrible, cheap tequila, we are not gonna throw up food. So, let us go lay on the couch in a food coma. Yes, we did just wake up, but no, we are not going to be able to move for about a half hour.
4. Ok, I need to check my grades. No I don't. Yes I do. No I don't.
We know we really need to check our final grades, but we really, really don't want to ruin our day. But since they will definitely be the topic of Christmas dinner discussion, we know we need to be prepared.
5. We're on top of the world, or the lowest of the low. And there's nothing we can do about either.
If you did poorly this semester, you're probably going to be a lump on the couch for the next few hours (or days). If you did well this semester, you're probably going to be the happiest little ball of bragging sunshine for the next few days. At this point, there's nothing you can do about either, because they're finalized. Eventually we'll snap out of it and be normal again.
6. Getting ready for family events.
Everyone inevitably wants to know everything happening in your life. School, relationships, roommates, social life, everything. (And if you're my family, if you can still keep up with them taking shots.) It's a lot of questions you really don't want to answer, but you know it'll be easier if you just grin and bear it.
7. Low-key being as excited as your little siblings for Christmas morning.
You can complain and act indifferent all you want, but you know that you're super excited to wake up Christmas morning to all the joy and love that comes with Christmas. Even the meanest, crankiest, Grinch-y college kid can't help but smile when your parents or siblings open up the gifts you got them with your work-study job.
8. Desperately trying to figure out NYE plans while your little brother already has a party to go to.
Especially if you go to a school far from home, you're probably not going to have anywhere to go on New Year's Eve. So you're going to try to travel to meet up with at least one person your age, since your little brother is already going to a huge party. You might even be secretly jealous since he's going to have so much fun, and you'll possibly be stuck with your parents and baby sister if you have no friends near you.
9. If you find somewhere to go, you probably won't get the (in)famous NYE kiss.
As much as we wish Joey Tribbiani was our midnight kiss, he's obviously not going to be. Even if you're in a relationship, it's unlikely you live close enough to be together at midnight. So good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor.
10. Texting in your friend group chat every five seconds because you just miss them so much.
I mean, you love being home and having no responsibilities, but you miss your friends like crazy. You wish that everyone you love could just be in one place where you never have to take another exam or write another research paper ever again.
11. Denial.
Nope, I don't have to pack. Or do laundry. Or start getting everything to go back. Four days is such a long time. And I'm not going back anyway. Nope, I'm quitting school.
12. Starting the new semester.
Going back to school is always bittersweet. While it means we have to leave our families, it also means we get to go back to freedom and friends. And spring break is only a few weeks away!
