Coming back home after being away at college can be described as: weird. Purely and absurdly weird. It's weird because you put your at-home life on a mental pause, thinking nothing will change. But once you come back, a lot has changed. The vibes weren't the same as when you had left, because life doesn't pause. And it takes some time to get used to, but you will eventually get used to it. The transition from college to home will become easier and easier. The first break home is always the hardest, but once you survive that, it gets better.

In my experiences, the only thing that has sucked about coming home has been the abrupt stop in my kind-of-steady schedule. I don't have a curfew, nor do my parents ask where I'm going when I come home, like a lot of people I know. But I describe coming home as weird because I need to get into an entirely different schedule -- a new mindset for the summer. The first couple days are tricky because you wake up frantic for a moment, thinking you're at school then realize you're on break and can live the vida loca for a bit. But as I said before, it gets easier after the first visit back home.

I have a list on my phone of places to go to when I return back to Houston: parks, museums, specific locations, coffee houses, restaurants I have/haven't been to, etc. Things I crave whilst I'm away. So within the first couple of weeks when I'm home, I hit up those places with friends or alone. It's always something I enjoy to do, and it allows me to venture out when I'm bored and have no absolute idea what to do.

This generation is all about "working on yo-self." And while changing yourself, whether it be your bod or improving yourself in whatever way, is a "nice" idea, it's not always a rational one. What I like to do is to present my best self. For example, if I'm in a bad mood, that's not presenting my best self, so I look to change my perception so that I can be presenting my best self to those around me. I'm the best and worst version of myself. There's no other me out there. So, I always aim to present the best version of me. You can try to do the same-- be the best you.

Another list I have on my phone is a "books I have to read" list. I'm the type of person who always has an answer when asked what book(s) she's reading at the moment. Make a list like this. Even if you "hate" reading. Find subjects or genres that interest you, and you can find books within your reach.

Summer is a wildly thrilling season. Be inspired to soak up every second of it; explore ideas in which excite you and motivate you. Have a wonderful summer of pure adventure and relaxation.