There are so many things to be excited for during that first week back home after finals: sleep, real food, family, friends, and dogs. It seems like all you can do is think about the moment when you can hit your bed once you return home and wake up with no responsibilities (at least for a little while). I have my "just returned home" routine down to a science, and I am counting down the minutes and seconds.
1. Greeting your dog
Nothing makes you feel more loved than when your dog sprints to the door and freaks out when you get home after a long semester. I swear, sometimes it looks like my dog might have a heart attack when I first see him. After a long, miserable, lifeless, finals week this greeting from your dog is the most comforting thing you've seen in weeks (you'll need him again when they release final grades)
2. Looking in the pantry
You forget what it's like to see fully stocked shelves, bags of chips that have more than 5 left, a fridge that has more than coffee creamer and one egg, and leftovers mom cooked last night. I love opening the fridge and thinking.... ahhhhh I'm home (but then remember you now have to cook for yourself).
3. Taking a shower in a real bathroom
After moving enough stuff for a family of three out of your dorm room a long awaited shower is necessary before you see people you know. No shower shoes, no lugging a shower caddy though the hallway, no awkward encounters with your neighbor in your towel, and no waiting for 10 minutes for the water to get warm. Finally, a nice, warm, relaxing shower.
4. Eating a home cooked meal
Your mom insists that you go out to dinner to celebrate you being home, but you insist that she cooks dinner (mostly because you don't want to move). After taking a 5-minute nap on the couch, your mom yells "dinner's ready" and you spit up knowing it will be better than dining hall pasta.... again.
5. TV... yes it's still a thing
I never realized how much you miss out on by rarely watching TV at college (shout out to Netflix). You turn on the TV and are suddenly so amused by the 6 o'clock news.
6. Text your high school friends
"Are you home yet?"
"Yeah I got home today"
"Wanna hang out?"
"Sorry... I don't plan on moving for at least 4 days"
"Same"
And suddenly that quickly ends because you are far too tired to catch them up on a semester's worth of gossip.
7. Realize you don't have any responsibilities the next day
It's been a while since you've had no class, no papers due the next day, or no looming deadlines hanging over your head. For once you can go to bed and not set an alarm, and let me tell you if feels amazing
8. Fall asleep in your own bed
No mattress pad, no rarely washed sheets, no hot stuffy dusty dorm room. Finally, you have made it another semester, and you will probably sleep for 14 hours minimum that first night home.
