Ithaca, NY is known for being one of the best college towns in the country. The natural scenery is stunning, the restaurants are delicious and everything is so convenient and walkable. The town is an important aspect of the school as a whole; it’s one of the things I love most about my school. So it’s no surprise that when people ask me if I miss Ithaca, I immediately say yes. I miss my friends, I miss my teachers, I miss my classes, I miss the gorges and I miss the town and all it has to offer. But being in my hometown of Millburn, NJ for the summer certainly has its perks. Below are a few of the major reasons I am thankful to be in my hometown this summer…
1. No Communal Bathrooms
I have a brother, so in a way my bathroom is still communal. But sharing a bathroom with one person is worlds different than sharing a bathroom with 24. The bathroom is never closed. No one will ever shut the light off while you are in there. You can shower whenever you want. You don’t have to worry about other people’s hair in the shower. The water pressure is always great. The water is always hot. And my personal favorite: you can sing in the shower as loud as you want.
2. Access to a Car
I drive everywhere. So saying goodbye to my car in the beginning of freshmen year was one of the hardest things I had to do. Now that I’m home, I can drive it whenever I want, and I can get anywhere in no time. No more waiting for the bus to come pick you up. No more inconveniencing your friend who has her car on campus. Now that I have my car, I can rely solely on myself and I can drive anywhere at any time.
3. Ability to Be Loud
At home, "quiet hours" don't exist. You can watch Netflix without headphones with your computer on full volume and not feel bad when your characters have mental breakdowns and scream at each other. You can blast music as loud as you want with no fear of getting judged by your music choices. You can face time or talk on the phone at any volume.
4. Home Cooked Meals
The food at Ithaca is not amazing and I am not the only one who holds this opinion. So coming home and having access to a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, a stove, a microwave, pots and pans and a blender is very refreshing. Being home, I am eating much healthier because I am making all the food I eat right before I eat it. So not only is the food better, its also healthier, which makes it a win-win. Also a perk of being home is that my parents make me food that is better than I could ever make myself (TY mom and dad).
5. Pets
Hands down my dog is the greatest thing about being home. Pets are adorable and amazing and always home so whenever you get sad or bored, your pet is always there to cheer you up. Saying goodbye to my fluffy golden doodle was so hard last fall, but now that I’m home, we can chill together all the time. I wish I could bring my puppy to school next year. But while I’m home, I’ll enjoy every second I have with my dog.
