They say, "home is where the heart is," but how is it true if I'm not sure where I feel at home? I don't mean this offensively, by any means. It's just that after moving somewhere for eight months, then being dragged back and living somewhere else for four months, your brain kind of gets confused. And sometimes, your parents aren't going to be very happy with you and your new habits. Here are six things most first-year college students are going to struggle with when they move back home for the summer.
1. Waking up at a reasonable time.
2. Cleaning your room.
I get it, guys, I get it. My room is trashed. You don't have to tell me every day. But listen, my roommate was pretty chill if I had clothes here and there, so why does it matter to you? You're not living with me. Let me dig my path and live my life!
3. Curfew and rules.
OK, so, I totally understand that I'm living under your roof, you're feeding me food and paying my bills, but I just lived for eight months in the city, four hours away from any kind of authority to tell me when I had to be home. I am sorry if I don't tell you when I'll be home, or if I come home too late. And again, I know it's because you care, and I respect that, but just a forewarning, I'm going to forget.
4. Showering every day.
Sorry if this is gross. Actually, not really. I did not shower every day in college. I was honestly too lazy to grab my stuff, walk down the hall and fight for the one shower everyone used. I didn't care if I smelled during chemistry, Spanish or psych. You get the point. Plus, I had this whole hair routine going: down the first day, braided the second, dry shampoo the third, hat the fourth. It's hard to remember at home, we're supposed to be functioning members of society – not greaseballs.
5. Not spending time with friends 24/7.
This is probably one of the worst. It's hard when you live in a dorm, and you're with some of the best friends you've ever had literally all day and all night, then you come home and your family expects you to spend time with them. All you want to do is go hang out with friends, have bonfires, watch movies and all of that stuff. You do have to remember your family does love you, and they care about you. Even when it doesn't seem like it, they did miss you, so don't forget about them.
6. Slow Wi-Fi.
I hope you don't take this as me hating home because I don't. Sure, sometimes it's stressful, and I say I want to move out, but after a rough first year away, it's good to be back. At least for a little.
