While most students, especially college students, are looking for a place to party for spring break, some find themselves having no plans. Though going home may seem like a dull way to spend your break, it can have its benefits. As my spring break drew closer and my plans dwindled, I began to consider the pros and cons of simply going home, and I actually found satisfaction in going home. So, if you find yourself dreading going home for the break for whatever cause — consider these things:
1. Food
This may seem like a small addition, but if you’re like me — it’s important. The cafeteria food is not always the best. Often, college students spend major amounts of money on food and groceries. At home, this is not the case. I delight in being able to enjoy the restaurants at home rather than those on-campus or off. These are the restaurants you have grown accustomed to (or even tired of) eating. So, enjoy the restaurants at home or, ultimately, save money and enjoy home-cooked meals! You may not get many of those on campus. Parents’/grandparents’ cooking is definitely worth missing. Take advantage!
2. Spending time with family/old friends
It is extremely possible to grow tired of seeing the usual people around campus. Whether we’d like to admit or not, we miss our family members and/or old friends and their affection. Going home and being able to be in their presence can make going home totally worth it! We do not get to spend as much time with them anymore and this may be the perfect time to do so. Spending time with your loved ones at home can be just as good of an alternative to “turning up.” You can’t go wrong with enjoying family.
3. Time to relax
Exams, quizzes, homework, and class in general can be stressful. This time off is your chance to actually take a break. Going home can also provide you with different scenery that you are also familiar with. Spending your break at home gives you opportunity to just relax. Though you may complain about not having anything to do, that could be an advantage. Appreciate your relaxation time of having nothing to do with frequent breaks vs. having too much to do with no real breaks.
4. Appreciate College Life
Though there are notable reasons to enjoy your home life, you can also learn to appreciate your college experience even more. Going home and seeing that not much has changed leads you to rejoice in the fact that you moved along. It is a realization of the importance of what you are doing in school and motivation to continue to succeed. Spending this extra time at home also makes you appreciate your freedom at college and doing things on your time. It makes you appreciate the independence that you have while at school.
For these reasons, going home may not be such a bad thing after all. Take note of the benefits from being home and appreciate them. There will be other times to vacation and/or party, so there is no problem in using just a week or so of your time to go back home to your roots.
