Winter break. It's the one time during the midst of the school year that students get to rush home, celebrate the holidays, see old friends and relax for an entire month without any worries or responsibilities. As finals began to wind down, all that students dreamt about was finishing their last final and quickly hoping into the car or onto the next plane home. The first night spent at home was enjoyable. It felt as if nothing could beat being home. You got to hang out with your parents, your siblings and cuddle with your dog or cat. You had your first home cooked meal since what seemed like years ago. There was no school work, no drama, and no more walking everywhere. Life felt normal, again.
As we quickly begin week three of winter break, social media has instantly begun to fill with tweets about students wishing they were back at college, and hating on their hometown. People are beginning to wonder why they wished they were back home three weeks ago. I'm not advocating that students should stop with the negative tweets on their hometown because I believe that if you aren't already missing your college and your college's town by now you picked the wrong school, but we all need to enjoy this time off while it's here and there are so many reasons why.
When the break is over, the break is over.
Remember that. Think back to all of those nights spent studying in the library well into the late hours of the night. Remember all of the stress exams and research papers caused you. This is your time off. Sit back, relax and pat yourself on the back for your hard work last semester.
Your friends back home have missed you dearly.
There were so many nights you spent texting your hometown friends wishing you were back home with them or just simply called them to catch up with them. By wishing your break away, you forget that once your back at college, you won't be seeing your hometown friends each day. Enjoy every day spent with them and don't wish it away.
Home cooked meals have nothing on the dining hall meals.
Take a trip down memory lane and remember those meals you had at the dining hall. Now, remember your nice home cooked meal you had on Christmas. The two cannot be compared.
Remember how cute your pet is.
It's not too often that you see a dog or cat on campus. Spend time cuddling with your pet a little more this break.
Your car is parked right out front, not a mile away.
No parallel parking and no bundling up just to get your phone charger out of your car. It's pretty great to be home.
Your parents love when the nest is full again.
Let's be honest. Being back home can be annoying when your parents are always on your case about doing chores, your eating habits, and curfews. They may seem to be nagging at you every five seconds and because of that you may simply wish you were back at school. But you have to remember that despite all of the negative feelings you have about being home, there's nothing they love more than to see your bright and shining face each morning.
Enjoy your time while being stuck at home. Go out and do the things that you can't do at college. Surround yourselves with the people who truly know you and love you. Before you know it, you'll be back at college missing home more than you ever thought you would.
