Suddenly, my first semester was over.

After somewhat figuring things out on my own, it's Christmas break and I'm on the three hour ride home trying to think of the right words to say to family that I haven't seen in weeks, some even months.

What is it like coming home for the holidays?

I had just started to figure things out on my own, but I can't complain about coming home because I had reached the point where needed a break. College is no doubt the best experience of my life, although I was starting to tire from the constant work, sleep deprivation, and stress brought on by finals weeks.

Being homeschooled my entire life, I'd become very anxious for my first Christmas break, especially one that would last an entire month.

Coming home for the holidays is weird and comforting at the same time. Everything is different, the town is different with new buildings being placed in every empty lot available, roads are being widened, family and their appearances have changed, and having no important responsibilities is extremely weird, but at the same time it is comforting because home is all I've ever known. Coming home to my bed, my cat, and my family is the same, driving down old backroads is the same, and home-cooked food is the same.

In college I have found myself and my freedom, but I have brought that home with me, allowing me to continue blossoming throughout my break. I suddenly have so much to talk about, and family Christmas parties are 10x more fun because I have matured considerably and can hang with the adult crowd talking about my newfound college experiences.

Although Christmas break is going to be a huge stress-reliever and an opportunity for me to catch up on my sleep, college has become "home" for me, a place where I have found myself and the place where my heart is. It's extremely difficult not seeing my best friend and roommate every day after being with her sweet face for an entire month, but that just makes coming back after break that much sweeter.

Coming home for the holidays is wonderful, and a great opportunity to see my friends and family. I'm thankful to have an entire month to catch up on sleep and relax after my first semester, after that I'll be thoroughly prepared for my spring semester, and I'm extremely excited to see what comes.