OK, so we all get super busy in the chaos of college life. And let's admit it, we might not get a chance to call our parents every day, or we think that there’s no point in calling our parents everyday because it doesn’t do anything -- it’s just the same old boring, “Hey.. Yeah, I’m good. Yes, I ate my dinner. Yes, I’m studying.” But actually, there are benefits of calling your parents every day, or at least often. For me, calling my parents every day has actually brought me closer to my parents, and it has made the bond that I shared with my parents stronger, ever since I’ve come to college. Your parents are a great resource, and calling them often really helps! Here are five reasons why.

1. They will always be real with you when no one else is.

Your parents aren’t the type that are afraid of hurting your feelings. So that top you’re wearing that everyone said looked cute on you, your mom will give you the actual truth of how it really looks on you. To be honest, your parents are actually one of the very few people who will give you the honest truth, even if it hurts your feelings. While your other friends may not say anything because they don’t want to upset you, your parents keep it real for you. So listen to them -- they actually know what they’re talking about!

2. They will always be there for you.

Sometimes, when you’re feeling sad, angry, or upset, you feel like you have no one out there to listen to you vent or cry or go on and on. But actually think again, you have your parents. As cheesy as it sounds, your parents are actually your friends too. They always have your back, and they will always be your shoulder to cry on, especially when you don’t have anyone out there.

3. They’ll keep you grounded.

When we are in college, it can be easy to forget where we came from and our roots because we can so caught up in what everyone else is doing. Our parents are there as daily reminders of where we come from. Talking to them at least for me, has helped me preserve my Indian background and roots. They are my role models, and through talking to them everyday, I keep my goals in mind, because I strive to become at least half the people they are.

4. They’ll be good voices of reason.

When we are distraught and don’t know what to do, it sucks doesn’t it? Well that can actually be prevented if you talk to your parents often. They are far more experienced than you are, and their knowledge can only help you, not hurt you. They can help you look at a particular situation in a different light and give some perspective and good insight to your problems. Your parents are old and wise, and you should make use of this when you’re stuck or don’t know what to do -- you’d be surprised about what different perspectives you can get by just talking to them!

5. They love you.

Your parents have unconditional love for you. They are the ones who will love you no matter how many times you screw up or disappoint them. Your parents brought you on this earth, and they have always cared for you and loved you ever since then. They deserve a call -- if not every day, at least every other day or maybe even once a week. The people who love you to this extent deserve the world, and beyond, from you because of how much love and care they’ve always given you.