While I was growing up, especially during my first few years of high school, I thought I wanted to go to a college far away. My heart was pretty much set on going to a school in the south, or any place with nicer weather than Pennsylvania. But right before my senior year of high school, I began going on college tours. The truth is that I ended up falling in love with an amazing state school. I realized I didn't need to go far away in order to be happy.

Penn State's main campus is about three to four hours away from my house, and to be honest, I wouldn't have it any other way.

It's not that I'm not happy at college. It's not that I need to be able to go home every weekend. It's not that I necessarily miss my hometown very often. It's just comforting to know that I can go home if I want to.

Sometimes I'll have an awesome week. I'll ace a paper, go out with my sorority sisters, or have a relaxing night in with some of my favorite people. I could be completely content with my life, but for some reason, the next week I will have the strongest desire to go home and crawl into my old bed, cuddle with my cat or dog, or eat a home cooked meal with my family.

It's OK to want to go home once in a while.

I absolutely love my school and I know I picked the right place for me. So, I used to feel offended last year when I would go home for a weekend and my friends from high school would say things like: "I thought you loved Penn State?" or "Wait, you really miss Bucks County that much?" Even my family would wonder if everything was OK with me. I think they were a little confused the first time I came home for a weekend.

It was almost as if people assumed I was not happy in Happy Valley. I would explain to people how much I love the campus, my friends, my classes, and pretty much everything about this place. I just simply wanted a little bit of home.

The truth is that you don't owe anyone an explanation if you're homesick or need a little piece of home! If you can easily go home for a night or two, why shouldn't you? You can be completely thrilled with your school and still need a break sometimes, it's OK.

However, I understand that not everyone goes to college near their hometown. If you're a plane ride away from your house or you never have a desire to go home, it's OK because everyone has a different college experience and a different home life.

So, if you're a freshman and you're homesick, don't feel embarrassed about leaving campus for a weekend. And if you're older and you still like to visit home occasionally, I'm right there with you. There's no shame in doing what makes you comfortable.