After a long semester of hard work, you finally get a month or so at home. Here are just a few awesome things about being home for break.

1. General Relief

After a long semester of hard work and an even rougher couple weeks of final exams and papers, there is a sense of relief in arriving home knowing that no mountains of schoolwork await you. Now is a time to relax and breathe after a job well done.

2. Your Family

I know I didn't get a chance to talk to my family too often in the final intense weeks of the semester, so being able to finally go home to them was quite comforting. Their constancy can put me at ease, and being able to have that natural back and forth conversation I grew up with made me feel like I was home once again. Sure, your family can drive you a little nuts sometimes, but that and their love is what makes me know I'm home.

3. Your Friends

Probably just as important as seeing your family is seeing the family you choose--your friends from home, and hallelujah for those reunions because seeing them feels like coming home all over again. After not having seen them in months, hanging out with old friends is incredibly fun--you get to catch up and reminisce and make new memories. Even with all the catching up, you're so close, it feels like you were never apart.

4. Your Pets

You can't tell me you've never said the words "I miss my cat" or "I miss my dog" or "I miss my hamster, fish, turtle, snake, horse, goat, etc." Our pets are our families too--cuddly sources of unconditional love and comfort who we closely associate with the notion of home. We all love our pets, and while it may take them a bit to adjust to us being home they always remember how much we love them and they love us.

5. Free Time

Finally you don't have to worry about this assignment or that project and can read for pleasure or watch Netflix or hang out with friends without having that seething panic in the back of your head that you must get things x, y, and z done before a time that's approaching way too soon. Use this time to relax and take care of and treat yourself!

6. Sleep

Nothing else need be said.

7. Anticipation of Going Back to School

While home is amazing, there will come a time where you are in fact excited to get back to your home away from home at school, to return to your friends and new classes and even the slightly questionable food, to find new routines and fall back into the work ethic. But for now, just enjoy your time at home because it'll make your return all the more worth it.