We can all remember a time when we couldn't wait to finally leave for college. We marked our calendars and counted down the days until move-in, finally free of all the rules and constraints of home life. There was so much out there for us to experience, a whole world that was ours for the taking, and we couldn't wait to chase after it. It was great at first: the freedom, the new friends, the all-inclusive meal plans. It was paradise---or so we thought. As time went on, the homesickness began to sink in and we realized that all of the things we used to take for granted at home were now the things that we missed most of all.
Here are the top 5 things that college students miss the most about being home:
1. Pets
Whether you own a pet or not, we at least all have that one friend that's pretty verbal about missing their own. When they're with you, it's all they ever seem talk about. When they're home, you're bombarded with enough Snapchats of dogs and cats to make you sick. Whether you're the one sending those Snapchats or not, we all know that pets play a big part in home and family life. Everyone's had one of those nights where they could use a furry friend curled up beside them, and unless they start breeding goldfish with hair it's highly unlikely that you'll ever have a pet like that in your dorm room. So next time you're home, let your pets know that you missed them almost as much as they missed you.
2. Your Own Bed
The beds here at Cortland aren't too bad, but I'd trade a million Cortland beds for a night in my bed back home. Coming home on a break and crawling into a bed that's familiar and has only been slept in by you is one of the greatest feelings in the world, especially if you've been traveling all day. For me, home is a five to six-hour drive back to Long Island, so the second my head hits the pillow it's lights-out for the night. As silly as it sounds, we do take our beds for granted. Whether it's the squeaking sound that the baseboard makes or the indent that we've left in mattress after sleeping one way for the past five years, our beds are unique and just for us. It's time they got a little appreciation too.
3. Home-Cooked Meals
What's better than some good home-cooking? Sure, you can get all the burgers you want down at Bistro, but they're nothing like Dad's burgers. And the pasta? Only Mom can make it that perfect al dente that you love so much. At first, we feel like we've hit the jackpot: as much food as we want, all day, every day. What more could you ask for? But as the weeks pass, marinated grilled chicken for breakfast, lunch, and dinner doesn't seem like such a great thing anymore. And for the students that live off-campus, making meals becomes an unexpected hassle. Remember when food used to magically appear on the kitchen table? Ah, good times. Next time you're home, make sure you thank your parents or whoever else cooks your meals for working hard to make such delicious dishes.
4. Privacy
Whether you love or hate your roommate, we can all admit that sometimes we wish we had the privacy that we used to have back home. Living with someone else is a pretty big change, especially if you had had your own room for most, if not all, of your life. Don't get me wrong: my roommate is a great guy and my best friend. But everyone needs their alone time. Whether it's to do homework, take a nap, or even watch something embarrassing on Netflix, sometimes we just need that little bit of privacy. No one wants to look over and see you picking your nose, but back home you never had to worry about that. Your bedroom is your own personal hideaway; the place where you're free to do whatever your heart desires. Sometimes, a nice afternoon spent relaxing in the privacy of our bedroom is the best cure for the stresses of a busy semester.
5. Family and Friends
The fifth, and most common, thing that college students miss the most about being home is the one thing that most people wanted to get away from in the first place. Pretty ironic, huh? But it's true. Family and friends are the one thing that most people tell me they miss more than anything. Everyone had that group or clique that they used to hang with in high-school. Whether you were on the football team or the editor of your school newspaper, the head cheerleader or the president of the biology club, you always had that one group of friends to fall back on. Sure, you keep in touch with them while you're away and see them whenever you're on break, but it's not the same. You have all these great stories to share with them, but it's funny to think that you each have your own stories to tell instead of all being there when it happened. Not having your family around is also a big change too. Your parents may have been hard on you in the past, and maybe your relationship with them wasn't great, but there's no denying how much they've done for you over the course of your life.
After all, they've been at your side through everything: birthdays, holidays, big events. They were always there to help you with homework, to cook meals, to wash your clothes, and to lend a sympathetic ear whenever something was on your mind. It's strange to watch someone that was such a big part of your life suddenly fall into the background, and during the time we spend away at school we reflect on these thoughts and realize how much we needed our parents. Make sure to let all of these people know how important they are to you and how much of an impact they've had on your life. I'm sure it'll make their day.
