There's something so special about bringing home to you.
Although it can be very exciting to go off to college and become independent, there are times when we just miss home. I used to get homesick at one-night sleepovers, let alone weeks at college, where I was at first surrounded by unfamiliarity. Eventually, though, we get used to the dull ache of discomfort, make new friends, keep ourselves busy, and the homesickness gets less frequent. Even with this moving on, there is such an intense excitement that comes when finding out your parents or friends from home are coming to see you at college! It's such a special experience. With my family coming to visit me at school in Ireland soon, I can't find enough ways to express my exuberance. The only thing I could think to do was make a list describing why I was so excited for the day of their arrival to come.
My top five reasons for being pumped to have home come to you at university are as follows:
1. The homesickness is completely gone!
It took me ages to cope with homesickness, and I'm sure that is the case for many other college students, too! Although it starts to fade away after a while, it's never permanently gone. Whenever you do something your sister or best friend would love, the ache intensifies a bit. Sometimes when you go home for breaks, you miss your college friends. It's a difficult spot to be in. However, when the gang comes to you at school, you get the best of both worlds (cue the Hannah Montana theme song). You don't have to miss anyone, and you can feel completely at ease knowing everyone you love is finally right there for you to see.
2. There is less strain on your wallet.
If your parents are anything like mine, they are wonderful enough to treat you to some meals and maybe some new leggings to replace your old ripped ones. They might even bring you some things from home that you'd forgotten to make your life a little easier. As a member of the poor college student community, every little bit of financial assistance from the parents helps. When you have people visiting you who want to make sure you don't starve to death, embrace the financial security, even if it's only for a few days.
3. Your family gets to meet your new friends.
I won't lie, this is what I'll be looking forward to most. When you go away to college, it's quite often the first time your parents will have absolutely no idea who the friends are that you talk about on the phone. I, for one, had to make my mom a list of my new friends with their names, what they study, and where I met them in order to help her keep track of everyone. Once they meet the people you've been going on and on about, it's going to be so satisfying. Your family from home gets to meet your school family, the people who look out for you when your parents or siblings are too far away.
4. Your friends get to meet your family (and finally understand where the craziness comes from).
I honestly can't wait for this moment. I have so many weird habits and catchphrases that none of my friends from Ireland understand, and they all stem from my family. When your new friends meet your family, they'll finally understand how you got your wacky sense of humor, or why you make chocolate milk with syrup instead of just buying it already made. That little vision of who you are at home will build a deeper connection in those friendships and will make communicating a tad bit easier.
5. You get to show off your school and all your favorite spots around town.
Finally, you get to show off your new turf. You get to be the adult and tour-guide. There's something that is so exciting about pointing out your favorite spots to sit around campus, or showing your family the best spots to eat around town. You get to show off your independence and everything that you've discovered while being away. Your family will definitely appreciate the peak into your college life, as well!
There are so many reasons that having visitors from home will excite a college student. That sense of familiarity gives confidence and really lets you shine and be yourself. The best part about having family come see you in your university is that for once, both homes are in one place.