You get so much freedom so suddenly. You can do wherever you want, whenever you want (within reason). You get to decide everything, and you don’t have parents telling you that you can’t go out or that you need to do this or that. You’re completely independent.

Then, out of nowhere, it gets taken away. Breaks.

Breaks are very bittersweet. On one hand, you get to go home, see your family and pets, get away from schoolwork, take baths or showers without shower shoes, eat good food and so many more things. However, on the other hand, you no longer have the same amount of freedom. You have to ask to go places, your friends no longer live in the same building as you, and you now have people telling you what to do and when to do it. It’s such a strange and drastic change.

One day you’re just trying to figure out if you want to go to the fraternity party or the apartment party and the next you have to ask someone if it is okay to go to lunch with a friend. The grass is always greener at the other place when it comes to breaks. When at school, you can't wait to get a break from classes and to see your family and so many more things. However, when at home, you can't wait to get back to school to see your friends, have freedom again and to not be bored.

I am not sure if parents realize how drastic the change is. I didn’t realize how weird it would be coming home since I’d been at school. I came home, and my room was no longer my room and the house was completely rearranged. It was like I walked into the wrong house. The first time I came home, I just walked out of my house got in my car and drove away without telling anyone. I had to drive back to the house and ask my mom and leave again!

Going to college is a huge change. It becomes your new home and new normal. However, coming home from college might be an even bigger change. It is always nice to come home to see family and my dogs, but it always takes a few days to get used to.