Freshman year of college is full of so many life changes: freedom, being away from home, and having to be independent. Now that we've discovered and utilized these new experiences over the past year, coming back home for the summer can be a little challenging. Here are five emotions you, as well many other college students, are probably going through this summer.
1. Frustration: you no longer have all the freedom in the world.
As much as your parents know you can probably do whatever you want back in college, the "you're under my roof now" card is played the moment you're back. You might have to come home at certain times, text them updates on where you are, and get approval from them on what you're doing. Welcome home!!!!
2. Boredom: life isn't as exciting as it used to be.
Life was so interesting in college--there was something to do every night and your friends were only a couple minutes away from you at any given time. Now that you're home, life is less exciting. Don't get me wrong--it's nice being home; it's just a difference change of pace, which consists of laying in bed all day, never changing out of your pjs, and watching TV for countless hours.
3. Sadness: all your college friends are so far away now.
Throughout the whole year, you have met so many amazing people in college. They have been only 10 steps or so away from your dorm room the whole duration of being in college; hanging out with them was so easy. Now, you might be in different states or far enough from each other that it is hard to see them every day. How many days until we're back at school again?
4. Trapped: you have no money coming home from college.
If you thought you barely had money in college, it gets worse when you come home for the summer. All the money you shouldn't have spent during the year, you spent anyways, and now you really don't have money left in your bank account. Your summer will probably consist of working to get all the money back you spent on bad purchases throughout the year. (And chances are, you'll repeat those decisions all over again once you go back. Oops.)
5. Confused: you are confused on what you are feeling about being home, but in the end you're mostly happy.
Yes, it is bittersweet being home, but in the end you are happy. You're happy to be back in your old room, see old friends, go to your favorite spots in your hometown, and spend time with your family. So don't get too down, you'll be back at school soon enough. Enjoy being home while you can!
