It’s only been three months since move-in, somehow. I feel like a lifetime has passed since I left home in August with a teary farewell. Now, the leaves have turned and temperatures have dropped, which means it is officially Thanksgiving season. For some of us, it’s time to pack a suitcase and head home, but that trip comes with a lot of baggage.
The Good
It’s probably safe to assume that you miss your family by now, at least a little bit. Even if you call home often enough to feel like you never left, you definitely miss your pets. Skype cannot do their furry little faces justice.
The best part about going home will be seeing all the familiar people and surroundings. The past few months have been so full of new experiences, which was awesome, but exhausting. It’ll be nice to see some old friends, maybe go back to your high school and visit with favorite teachers. With all the chaos of college life, we could all use a break—what better place to do it?
The Bad
When you started school, you were worried about staying away from your parents longer than you ever had before, but at this point, you might have the opposite problem. You’ve been living with a new sort of family for several months now, and you’ve never been away from them for more than a few hours. It may have taken some time, but your dorm feels like home. Leaving your new life behind, though it’s just for a couple days, will be kind of hard.
The Ugly
Festivities will have come and gone before you’ve even unpacked your bags, and it will be time to get back to work. There, welcoming you with open arms, will stand a formidable threat: final exams. The shift from turkey to textbooks will come as a bit of a rude shock, but it’s nothing we can’t handle.
Whether you’re boarding a plane or staying put, make sure to take advantage of this down time, as it’s not something we see too often. Enjoy the people you’re with. Take a nap. Get yourself some sweet potatoes — now there’s something for which we’re all thankful.
