Coming home from college for the first time is hard. Your parents have adjusted to a life where you are not constantly there, and routines have changed because of your absence. You yourself have changed a lot in the last few months that you have been gone. You had to do your own laundry, go grocery shopping, go to the doctor by yourself; you have just become more independent than you were when you left nine months ago. Adjusting to these changes is hard on everyone in the family because it's all so new and everyone is used to having each other around. All I can say is it will get better, and these five steps have helped me adjust to coming home from college for the first time.
1. Your parents are going to depend on you a lot more because in their eyes you have seen the real world ... well, had a glimpse at least. If your parents ask you to take your sibling somewhere, just smile and say, "Yes mom." It will save you from an argument you don't want to go through.
2. In your parents' eyes, you are an adult now and must have a job. I have learned it is much easier to not involve my mom in finding a job. Nothing is going to sound appealing when you're making minimum wage. Start applying before school is out and you are still away from your parents. They will think you're responsible, and it will be much less stressful on you. Plus, they will be so surprised that you took the initiative without being told.
3. You haven't had rules, curfews or chores at school, and that's going to change and you have to accept it. Your parents do pay for your housing, food and if you're lucky gas in your car. Just try your hardest to follow them. They will become lax about these things later on in the summer, I promise.
4. You're going to get sick of each other fast, and you will miss your school family more than ever, but just remember how much you miss your crazy family while you're away at school. Spend as much time as you can with them and let them know that you love them.
5. Enjoy your time at home with your family and friends and get out and enjoy your summer. This is what you've been waiting for since Christmas break ended.
Have a fun and relaxing summer, but don't work too hard; you have your whole life after college to work!
