As a college student that attends school away from home, I can say that it does not get any easier adjusting at home during summer break. I just finished up my junior year - and coming back home, living with parents again, and having less freedom than you were used to having at school are definitely some things that take adjusting.

At school, I lived in an apartment with two of my friends and recently just moved some of my things into a new place with five more friends. Coming back home to live with your parents over break isn't always the greatest thing to look forward to, having a possible curfew and maybe even having to control your drinking more because you have to worry about coming home and not waking your parents. Although coming back home for summer is great, you get home cooked meals and maybe even a parent to do your laundry for you, there are some things that we had to do on our own at school that now our parents will take over again.

Coming home to your old friends is both exciting and kind of strange too. I've had the same close knit group of friends since eighth grade and it is really great when we all come back and spend the summer together. It is also kind of odd because you are getting used to another group of friends again in a sense, after you've spent an entire year with a different group of best friends. Although this is a feeling that doesn't last for long at all, it might feel sort of weird coming home and hanging out with people you haven't' spent the last year with every day.

I never worked as a student during the school year, but when I come back home for summer, even winter break, I get to working. This isn't always the best thing to look forward to, I mean, you just finished off an entire year of school and now you have to start working in some other way. Having money is great, though, especially to fulfill your summer needs and even pocket some to bring back to school with you in late August.

Eventually, everything falls into place and your summer is filled with countless fun. I always enjoy a long, happy summer with my friends and family, while keeping in touch with my friends at school. Summer flies by quickly, so it's important to enjoy it while you can. As I approach my senior year, I would love for this summer to go in slow motion.