First off, Congrats on surviving your first semester of college. That's an accomplishment in itself because you did not fail out or drop out. I'm sure like most college freshmen you're not the same person you were the day you left your hometown. You became your own person somewhere along the way you stopped relying on your parents as much and realized you independence. Doesn't mean you didn't fall a few times especially learning how to do your own laundry and when you may have stayed out a little too late, but those obstacles help you realize what you could handle. Now you're about to encounter one of the biggest challenges going home for a long period of time. I know we all ready for the semester to be over and to spend time with family, but I am warning you it is going to be adapting process.
Your parents finally got used to you gone and now they have to accommodate your schedule again. You're off for an entire month while your family is off still having to go school or work. There is going to be some bitterness and jokes about how all you ever do is sleep. All you want to do is catch up on the sleep you lost this past semester and spend time with friends or experiencing life. Yet your parents may have a different perspective about your break they may see you as there personal helper of stuff they need done and do not have time for. Especially forget about coming home from waffle at 1 am without a million questions. Little do your parents know that's like your weekly routine at college. You start hearing words like when you're in my house you will follow my rules. It becomes really confusing because in college you can do whatever you want and have no one to check up on you. Where now you suddenly have all these people who want to know what your doing 24/7. Give your parents some slack in these cases because you're technically back at home and no longer is it just you to worry about. This a time of reacquainting your new life with your old one and learning how to manage it. Talk your family let them know who you are now and be proud because they will love you no matter what.
Be prepared for the family gathering questions like:
"How's school?", "Have you figured out what you want to do with the rest of your life?", "Are you moving back here after graduation?", "Are you making good grades?" ,"Do you have a special someone?", "Do you have a job?"
Not that these questions are not valid it just seems like all your trying to do is run away from school, but everyone is trying to constantly remind you of it. Especially if some of those answers are no it's as though you just signed your self up for grilling of questions like you are on trail for a murder or something. I know they as cause they care, but at the same can I would love to suggest to families can we talk about everything else, but school...PLEASE.
So overall, enjoy your break because you deserve it! Also, do not go into it expecting things to be perfect because life went on without you and now you have to find a way to squeeze yourself back into that life you left behind. Be understanding, full of grace, and most importantly don't leave your messes lying around.
Sheetal Tadiparty
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