As Thanksgiving break rolls around, so does a pivotal moment in every freshman collegian’s experience: going home for the first long break. Sure, you might have made weekend trips a time or two, but this one is different. You’ll have at least a week to spend sleeping in your own bed, seeing your friends from high school and reuniting with your family.
It’s going to be great, but it’s also going to be tough.
It won’t be the same. You live an entirely different life now – maybe you stay up later than you ever had or eat ice cream for breakfast. So when you return, you’ll expect things to feel like they did when you left in the summer. But something’s going to be a bit off – and that’s okay. You’re used to a new life, and going back to the old is bittersweet. You’ve just got to accept it for what it is – a taste of the good old days.
Some friends won’t call. And that’s okay too. You’ll learn that there are friends that you see every break – and those who will call you up on a random Tuesday second semester begging to catch up. Some friends come into your life in high school, only to leave when adulthood begins. Recognize those friendships for what they are, and appreciate even more the ones that stick.
Your parents will be overbearing. It’s just because they missed you. Let your mom do your laundry, even though you do it yourself now. Talk to your dad about your classes, even though it’s the last thing you want on your mind. Do it because this is hard for them too, and this break is their time to make up for all the days they miss you like crazy.
Enjoy the food. Eat, eat, eat. Soon you’ll have to go back to dining hall food. Make sure to hit every one of your old restaurant haunts, and don’t be afraid to ask your mom to make her famous lasagna. For one week, you don’t have to survive on ramen. Stuff yourself – especially on Turkey Day!
Look through your old things. Take a glimpse at your high school yearbook. Seems like it’s been so long, hasn’t it? What about those notes from your old boyfriend? The pictures on your dresser from middle school? You probably had to bring the bare minimum to your dorm, so enjoy the little mementos you had to leave behind. And reminisce about the days where you thought wearing a neon headband every day was cool.
Spend time with your pets. There’s no shame in spending a day totally devoted to time with your pup, cat or fish (although the last one might be a tad boring). There’s no better feeling than your pet running up to greet you at the door, as if to say, “Welcome home, friend.”
Your relatives will ask you, over and over, what your major is. Be patient with them. Just like the “So where do you want to go to college?” question of senior year, you just have to grin and bear it. They’re just trying to catch up.
It’s OK when you’re ready to go back to college. As the end of the week draws near, you may feel guilty for itching to go back to the loud dorm hall or start cramming for the last-minute tests. After all, isn’t it great being back home? But it’s okay to love both. You’re supposed to enjoy college. It means that you’re growing up and becoming independent and strong. So give your family one last hug and pack up the car.
Don’t worry, you’ll be back for Christmas.
