Let's be honest: no one really wants to miss out on the wild fun of a quintessential college spring break. Realistically, however, most of us can't afford a beach trip every year of our college career. I, for one, could not swing it this year, and hearing about all of my friends' beach, cruise and ski trip plans really started to grind my gears by the time I finished my last exam. Instead of packing up my bikinis and sunscreen, I headed back from my midterm and packed a small bag of essentials just to hop in the car and head home for the week.
I was more than a little bummed on the drive, ruminating enviously on all my friends who would be soaking up the sun or hitting the slopes come the next morning; but then I realized something once I walked in my front door -- coming home really isn't so bad. Here are a few wonderful realizations I have had since coming home for break. Maybe these are things you other homebodies have recognized too, and maybe not, but hopefully they make you a little more appreciative of the situation you originally thought stunk.
1. You get to spend time with your awesome family.
My first night back I was lucky enough to have a big family party with all of my aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. It was some of the most fun I've had this semester! Even though I am lucky enough to have my home only twenty minutes from College Park, I still rarely make the drive. Apart from the occasional Sunday night visit prompted by an overflowing laundry bin, I don't normally pull myself away from CP; and I never do it for an entire weekend. Coming home for any break is essentially a forced period of time to spend with your family that misses you so much. While in college, your life is packed. Whether it be with schoolwork, classes, clubs or social events, we all have a ton going on at all times. It makes it hard to think about your mom, dad, siblings, whoever you have waiting behind the front door. Whether they are vocal about it or not, I promise they have been thinking about you. Spending spring break at home has given me a chance to spend time with my family that I don't normally have to spare, and it's really great.
2. No one missed you more than your dog.
Walking in to be greeted by my puppy, Roo, for the first time in months warmed my heart more than I even thought possible. She attacked me by jumping all over me, licking my face, tail wagging like a maniac, the works. It was amazing. Not all of us can share in this joy, I understand. But, if you do have an amazing pet, you know what I'm talking about. Whatever furry little friend greeted all of you pet owners when you came home this break, I'm sure it was a wonderful moment of joy that made you appreciative of coming home instead of vacationing.
3. You don't have to diet.
The one saving grace I did recognize before actually leaving school for home was the fact that while my other housemates were counting calories for the past couple weeks, I knew I didn't have to. My delicious meals were the only thing I could rub in their salad-stuffing faces. It was a nice feeling to know that I did not have to add to my daily midterm schedule another daily schedule of when I could make it to the gym for my spring break bod.
4. You get home-cooked meals again.
Building off number three, you also get the joy of mom's (in my case grandma's) homemade cooking. Once again, even after they've been dieting for weeks, your friends still have to worry about bloating on the beach. Think about them eating their meals while wearing a string bikini. Then you eating your meals on the comfy couch in sweat pants. It's not a horrible trade off.
5. Your break is ACTUALLY a break.
Partying and staying out until the crack of dawn is something we all know we are missing when we don't get a vacation for spring break. However, the nice thing about coming home? You actually get to sleep for a week. In school, we always have almost-all-nighters for papers and exams, as well as the weekly, or multi-weekly, nights out until 2 or 3 in the morning. It's common for us to get in bed in the wee hours of the morning. But when you're home and nothing is really going on, it's an underrated and excellent element of your break to actually give your body the rest it needs.
All in all, we may still be thinking we would rather be partying our days away somewhere else, but when you take a step back to look at it, this break at home may not be so bad after all.
