Ahh, yes. Finals. The dreaded end of the school year is here. Tests, projects, papers. Professors load them up. That's okay, though, we'll all just move into the library.
As an out of state student, you've realized you miss home a ton. The words "I'll be home next week," bring tears to your eyes and excitement shakes your bones. You're sad, still, because you'll be leaving all your new friends. It's not like they can come visit you on a day trip either. It will take some real effort and time to spend time. You'll be away for three months, but being home is a decent trade off.
Packing is a real big deal for out-of-staters. The thought of driving hours home, your car packed to the roof with everything you brought plus more, sends you shivers. Some out-of-staters. like me, don't have their parents coming to help them pack, so doing it yourself is incredible stressful. You eventually find yourself sitting in the only open space on your floor crying. Somehow, the stress of packing is more stressful than finals.
Being your only ride home, if unfortunate, takes a toll as well. You're caught in the middle of a depression from leaving school, and the happiness of going home, and sick of being in a car. Home bound and tired, with that one song from The Lego Movie on repeat in your head, the thought of homemade food keeps your sanity, and your eyes on the road. The landscape has changed from lakes and pines, to cattle graze land and corn fields, and then finally urban neighborhood. The radio has cycled through the same ten songs at least twenty times. You're so ready to be home.
Finally, with cramping legs and a growling stomach, you roll into your driveway with tears threatening to break. Mom and Dad are sitting on the front steps waving excitedly. Throwing the car in park, you jump out and run--run right past them because you've been holding your pee in for the last three hours. It's amazing to pee in your own bathroom. There's no better bathroom than the one at home.
Good luck with finals all and have safe travels home!
