You have packed up the sheets, returned the books and said the final farewells to the friends you have made this year. If you are anything like me, you're feeling pretty conflicted about being three months away from your new home. Sure, it's great the year is over and done with, another semester accomplished. But are we all looking forward to summer as much as we thought we would? There seem to be a lot of positives of going home and yet a lot of negatives.
Positives:
1. Family
Let's be honest; family is pretty great. Sure, they may drive you hair-pulling crazy and give you a headache that requires 5(+) Advil, but they are family. And no matter what you love them.
2. Friends
You can't forget about those who watched you grow up. You thank God that your college friends didn't witness your braces and One Direction phase. But then again, you thank God for those who did.
3. Your Spot
Even if you are from a small town, there is always that spot that is yours. Your coffee shop, your restaurant, your park bench. That's the place where you studied for the SAT, or had your first kiss, or first made your Instagram. It'll be good to get back to your spot.
4. Home
As much as you love your roommates, you couldn't be more thankful for your own room and bathroom again. Ah, undisturbed privacy — how you've been missed!
5. Food
No more cafeteria and fast food meals. Home cooked food is for the win, and always available to you. What's that delectable scent wafting into your (may I emphasize again) private room? That is the smell of your parent making a welcome-home plate of pancakes or bowl of chili.
Negatives:
1. Friends
These people have witnessed almost just as many ups and downs as the friends from home have witnessed. There is something about these transitional years that really bring out the extremes in your hormones. They have been there for you when you couldn't help but cuss out the 12-page paper that was due in less than a few hours or sat beside you with ice cream as you cried over a hard breakup. What are you going to do without half of your wardrobe, provided by your roommate?
2. Classes
So maybe they felt like the fiery pit of weeping and gnashing of teeth during finals, but my guess is that you deep down enjoyed a few of the classes you took this year. Let's be honest, it's great fun to finally learn about what you care about.
3. Your college city
Perhaps I am just biased because I go to school in Nashville, but I have a feeling you're really going to miss the city that has become your second home. You're going to miss that coffee shop you and your friends frequented during the semester or the burger joint that sells a mean milkshake.
4. A like-minded community
You've just spent a year surrounded by kids your age, all struggling through balancing classes and work, all experiencing the transition into adulthood, all figuring out life. Even if you don't personally know the guy who is hunched over his laptop next to you in Starbucks, you wish him the best of luck in whatever class that is tormenting him so. Now you have to go home to a city that is more varied in age. Possibly that's a good thing, but you'll miss the unity.
5. Change
Hey, a lot has happened. You have been through some crazy experiences, and no matter how many times you promised someone you wouldn't change, you probably have. You can't help it. It happens when you are forced to move out and start a new life in a completely new area. Things are going to be different when you go home, but that was expected. Every good thing comes to an end at some point, but it usually opens the door to an even better thing.
These are my thoughts as to why you might be so conflicted as you pack up the last of your things to head home. Treasure the memories you have made, be ready to share them when you're back home, but don't forget to ask what new occurrences happened there also. And always remember, it's not the end. The next round is just around the corner.
