As the semester comes to an end, and we prepare to pack up our lives once again, we eagerly anticipate arriving back to the place we are proud to call home. No matter where the path leads us this summer, it’s sure to be unforgettable. There are so many reasons as to why summers in college are so incredible, here are just a few reasons us college students are counting down the days until we leave campus.

No school work.

Even if we find ourselves taking summer classes, they seem to be more bearable during the summer months. We have so much more time to enjoy life, without being bogged down with exams, papers, and presentations. This is what college students look forward to the most --especially coming off of a sleepless week of finals.

Traveling.

The summer gives us the freedom to travel. Some lucky students get to spend time abroad in the summer, but even trips to the shore will do for us. Summer is the time to experience new things and see new places. Challenge yourself to visit a new destination this summer, even if it is not far away.

Internships and employment (a.k.a. money).

While working may seem like a pain, the thought of having a few dollars in our pockets keeps us applying for more internships and jobs for the summer. Having a summer job allows us to save up money for the upcoming school year and having a summer internship helps us come to the realization that we are growing up. Internships are a great way to see that our time spent at school is paying off.

Spending time at home with family.

No matter how much we fight with our siblings and are shocked to have “house rules” again, nothing compares to the first night spent at home with family. The second we return home it feels as if we never left. There is family to greet you with a hug, food on the table, and a comfortable bed to crawl into at night.

Reuniting with old friends.

If you're like me, reuniting with your high school friends is no big deal since you basically talk to each other everyday. Even though you may not have much to catch up on, thanks to texting and FaceTime, it will be nice to be able to communicate without an electronic device and to always have a friend down the street when you're looking for something to do. Just like returning home to your family, seeing your high school friends will bring you back in time and you will realize how much you miss not getting to see them each day.

Looking back, this year has been a whirlwind. We have accomplished so much and it has gone by in the blink of an eye. Although we will miss waking up each morning and walking through the gorgeous campus before grabbing lunch with friends, we are eager to return home to the place we love most.

"There's no place like home."