Adjusting to college life has been an extremely difficult and stressful time for me. I am at the end of my first semester and although things have gotten better, I still long for home while I am stuck in my small dorm room. My college is about 2.5 to 3 hours away from my hometown, depending on how traffic is. Although this is not exceptionally far, it still takes some time out of my busy week traveling to-and-from home.
I come home every single weekend and I am not ashamed. In the beginning of the semester, I felt bad about coming home often. I always felt that people looked down upon me for only staying at my college on weeknights. The truth is, coming home was the only way I could get through the week at school. I am a very strong introvert and a homebody. The idea of even going to a school in a different state shocked a lot of people, including myself. I am proud that I was able to work up enough courage to step out of my comfort zone and do this, but I felt like I was constantly disappointing people because I loved coming home.
Being an introvert like myself, I need time to revitalize. Being around people 24/7 during the week really takes a toll on my energy and motivation. Coming home on the weekends allows me to take a break from the social life and come back to the comfort of what I have known my whole life. It lets me gain back enough energy to get through the next week before coming home again.
Everybody needs a break from the college life every now and then. Freshman year is usually the worst since it is a brand new experience and you are living with a bunch of strangers. The ‘college life’ of communal bathrooms and dining hall food gets old very quickly. Coming home often makes these things not so bad because you know that after a few short days, you will get to experience the luxury of home again.
If you are in a reasonable distance from home and your situation allows it, take advantage of visiting often. There is nothing like the feeling of walking in your front door to your family and being able to sleep in your own bed at night.
If others are discouraging you from visiting, don't listen to them. If you need to come home or feel more comfortable in doing so, don’t be ashamed. College is hard enough as is. If coming home on the weekends is what will allow you to do your best, then do it. Don’t let anybody stop you.
