During freshman year, I went home almost every chance I got. I was homesick and struggling with adjusting to my new environment. This year, I told myself that I’d go home as little as possible. When I made that decision, I was adamant on proving my independence to my family and myself. After going home for Labor Day weekend, I’m starting to rethink my decision. This year, instead of struggling with homesickness, I’m struggling with time management. Between classes, working, extracurricular activities, and actually trying to have a social life, I feel like I don’t even have time to breathe! Going home helped me realize a few reasons why It’s okay to go home every now and then.

Reason 1: Hugs

It sounds totally mushy, but there’s nothing like receiving hugs your own family. No offense to my friends (you guys give great hugs), but the one thing I needed most from my mom was a huge hug. Somehow a simple hug makes me feel like

Reason 2: Food

I’m not talking about anything fancy, but it was so nice just to have a meal cooked on a stove instead of the microwave meals I had been sustaining myself with for the past two weeks. The fact that I could open the fridge and see it packed with food almost brought tears of joy to my eyes.

Reason 3: Familiarity

Although I didn’t struggle with adjusting to my new environment as I did my freshman year, it was nice to be surrounded by familiar things. Familiar roads, familiar faces, my familiar house, and the familiar quirks of my family all made me feel normal.

Reason 4: Getting Away

Going home is a great way to get away from the stresses of school. I was miles away from campus, professors, textbooks, drama, and responsibilities. It was so nice to sit at home for a little bit and pretend that I didn’t have a pile of homework waiting for me. It’s a lot easier to pretend when you’re miles away from it.

Reason 5: To show you care

My parents appreciate every time I call, and they especially appreciate it when I come out to visit. Your parents understand that you’re busy and stressed, so it just means that much more to them when you take the time to go visit them

Now, I’m still not going to go home every chance I get, but I realized that I don’t have to distance myself to prove my independence. I proved my independence by leaving home in the first place. Some of my friends who live too far away from home to visit have admitted that they’re jealous of people who have that luxury. So, if you live close enough to visit, go home once in awhile. Even bring some of your friends who can’t go home. Get a hug or two or three, eat something that didn’t come from a microwave, get away from your responsibilities for a little bit, and tell your family you love them.