Regardless of how far away from home or close you live, college brings new experiences and relationships that can last a lifetime. Ask anyone and they will say their college years were the best of their life. While being away at college and starting to realize how the world works, I realize the only way I'm even able to attend college is because of my parents. Whether you want to admit it or not, college brings you closer to your parents in different ways. Learn to appreciate them more and make the effort to spend time with them. There’s a reason why they are the most important people in your life.
1. You miss being home and seeing them.
Everyone gets a little homesick whether they want to admit it or not; even if you live 4 hours away or 20 minutes. Being with your family is something you are allowed to miss and time with them should never be taken for granted.
2. When you’re home, you want to spend time with them.
In high school, the last thing you wanted to do was spend your free time with your parents. But being home on breaks or for the weekend you find yourself wanting to spend time with them and catch up.
3. You realize the sacrifices they’ve made.
Being at college you realize just how expensive everything is and how everything adds up. They have bent over backwards in order to send me to the school I wanted to go to and support me in every way. I will never be able to repay them for that but I can finally start to show appreciation for it.
4. You want to share things with them.
I find myself wanting to share my new life with my parents explaining to them the friends I’ve made and how everything is going.
5. You relive old memories.
Your parents often recount old memories of when you were younger bringing out the old album or just by sharing old stories of you.
6. You enjoy the home-cooked meals.
Whether or not your parents are the next Top Chef, anything is better than the dining halls at school.
7. You want to stay in instead of going out.
There comes a point in your life where it’s OK to miss a party. You start to grow up and leave the high-school crowd and spend time with the people who matter the most. Staying in from a party and hanging with your family doesn't make you uncool it means that you have your priorities straight.
8. You appreciate the little things.
In high school, I often found myself saying, “Wow I can't wait to go to college and move out.” But now I find myself waiting until I can come home. College has made me appreciate all the things my parents have done for me in the past to be able to get to where I am today. Time is so crucial and I now see the importance of spending it with my family. Thank you college, for finally opening my eyes and bringing me closer to my parents.
