After several long months at school, the time has finally come for many college students to head back home for Thanksgiving break. Returning home after such a long period can be quite the transition from hectic college life. Because of this, college students learn that they have a lot to be thankful for when coming home for Thanksgiving break:

1. Getting to eat home cooked food

At first, your college's dining halls appeared to be everything you could hope for and more. However, three months of long lines and fried food have seemed to prove you wrong (and don't get me started on the ramen you make in your dorm). Coming home makes you realize that your mom was actually a master chef all these years, and you just weren't appreciating it enough. Also, you get to eat a Thanksgiving feast, which is truly enough to be thankful for.

2. Having your own room

Some of the best friends you make in college will be your roommates, but it's always nice to come back home to your own room. This also means you get a break from loud people walking through your dorm's hallway at 2 a.m. and the room above you that apparently owns a trampoline.

3. Using your own shower

You don't have to wear shower shoes for a week...enough said.

4. Seeing all of your friends from high school

After months of separation, you can finally reunite with all of your old friends. Even though you keep up with each other over social media and text, nothing is better than swapping stories in person.

5. Spending quality time with your family

Family weekend has come and gone, and the two days definitely weren't long enough. Thanksgiving break is the perfect time to be with your family in your hometown for longer than just a weekend.

6. Reuniting with your pets

Unlike your family and friends, it's a little harder to stay in touch with man's best friend while away at school. For most college students, Thanksgiving break is the first time many college students get to see their pets since moving away to school.

7. Not thinking about studying for a week

Unless you have an evil professor that thinks it's OK to schedule a test or project directly after Thanksgiving break (in which case, I'm so sorry), you get to use this time to block out anything dealing with school and just relax.

8. Re-exploring your hometown

There were so many amazing things that I didn't appreciate enough about my hometown until I was out of it for three months. As much as you love your college town, there's no place quite like home.

Even though Thanksgiving break is only a week long, it gives college students a lot to be thankful for. Although it may be hard to return back to school afterwards, just remember that there're only a few more weeks until winter break!