Whether you dread or anticipate it, everyone's got to go home sometime. For some students that time is every day, others maybe go home every other weekend, or even only for holiday breaks. Regardless, the shift from being a high school student to a college student can change your perspective on things.
1. Your house...isn't quite your house
When you're so used to living at home you associate certain smells, furniture, and little imperfections with your house, but first walking in the door when you get back isn't quite like it used to be. The smell is familiar, sure, but it's stronger and not as consistent as before. You're so used to classrooms and dorm smells that you almost forget how your home smells. Maybe furniture is moved around, or your family decided to redecorate. Either way, it's weird because you weren't a part of that decision and it doesn't affect you until you're back home.
2. The food's better
No matter what school you go to, the food will almost never be as good as it is at home, simple as that. A meal made especially for you and your family is just more comforting than tins of food made for hundreds of other students. Although, occasionally college food is decent when you've been up since six am and need a minute to just stuff your face.
3. Pets act differently
Pets can react differently in various situations. They may immediately gravitate to you and not leave your side until you have to go back to school, or they might hardly even glance at you. (You just KNOW they missed you.) For both those circumstances and all the ones in between, seeing a familiar furry, scaley, or prickly face is always pretty nice.
4. Old friends
Catching up with childhood friends could weird because you just run in different circles now. They probably still live in your hometown and that might be all they talk about, whereas you could talk about the entirely new part of your life you started away from home. You feel kind of left out of the loop of small things, like new buildings in town, the latest gossip, and even what's going on at your old school. Maintaining contact with old friends can be a little bittersweet, but also very rewarding in the long run.
5. Questions...the terrible questions
You can't escape them, the questions you get from family and friends just never end. "How are classes?" " Have you meet any interesting people?" "Anyone you think might be into you?" "Do you like your professors?" "Are you eating?"
While these questions may be a little overwhelming, at least you know your loved ones are truly interested in your life.
7. You actually sort of miss being at school
Whether we want to admit it or not, throughout the duration of the time we're visiting home, we actually start to miss being on campus; you miss your friends, the comfort of having all of your belongings, and the freedom that comes with being an adult. Obviously getting to see your family, sleep in your own room, and enjoy some time away from academics is great, but sometimes you just can't wait to get back to your home away from home.
