Going to college is a huge leap. It entrusts a new sense of freedom. It also commands copious amounts of responsibility. This new-found responsibility warrants a dose of a lifestyle change. While I love my life in college, there are some disadvantages to having a new independent life. Here are seven things college students miss from their life before college.
Home-cooked meals
Once I moved to college, my diet changed completely. I went from having home cooked meals every night to ordering from a dollar menu every meal. No matter how many 'dorm room meals' you pin on Pinterest, it is difficult to find the time or energy to cook for one on a budget. At home, parents happily feed their children delicious home-cooked meals daily, when I can barely find a way to make it to class. I don't know how you do it, but this one's for you.
Healthy Lifestyle
Since getting the dollar menu at McDonald's or Taco Bell is so convenient and cheap, it is a college student staple. Those calories and carbs add up. Also the lack of physical exercise in college contributes to the unhealthy lifestyle. Being involved in sports in high school was much more common, and physical education was mandatory. The combinations of unhealthy food choices, and the lack of exercise equate to quite a rise in weight. There's a reason that freshmen year is known for the freshmen 15.
"It is just more convenient to eat unhealthy. I'm on campus, in a meeting, doing homework or studying the majority of my time so it's just easier to get fast food or something from the GUC rather than cooking something healthy. Being involved really takes a toll on your body and the healthy choices you make because you're so caught up with everything else that you forget to eat healthy or exercise," said junior Sarah Green.
Being Taken Care Of
When you were sick as a kid, your mom would drop everything until she nursed you back to health. I never realized how much I needed that until I was in college feeling like I was on my deathbed with no one to take care of me. Sure, my friends or boyfriend would get me soup or medicine, but it isn't the same as my mom making sure I was completely comfortable until I felt better.
Less Housework
Being independent necessitates doing simple chores and housework that wasn't needed before moving out. Washing dishes, doing laundry or changing sheets are simple household chores that add up. It was hard to realize how much our parents did around the house until we had to do those chores ourselves. It is also completely inconvenient to save up quarters just to wash clothes. We never knew the value of a washer and dryer before we didn't have them.
No bills to pay
Remember when paying for rent, bills, and groceries was just a scary future? Remember when you went to the kitchen, and food was magically there like the grocery fairy had come? Ah, those were the days. Sadly, reality has come in the form of paying for these necessities as a student with a part-time job. At least our parents are still there to give us help from time to time.
High school friends
If you're anything like me, I miss very little about high school. However, most people make it out with a few quality friends. When those friends move away to college apart from you, it's hard to go month without seeing them. Although you love your new college friends, you miss the friends who even knew and liked elementary school you. If you were my friend during my awkward stage, you're a keeper.
Family
Being able to come home to your family is something that we often take for granted. It isn't until you move off that you truly appreciate your family. It's hard to be away from your support system and the people you grew up with.
Although we don't always admit it, living at home during high school had it's advantages. Except curfews; curfews are the worst.
