Going to college and leaving the state was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Don’t get me wrong, I love being home; but had I not left, I would not be able to truly appreciate home. It’s a weird feeling, getting to college and realizing not everything you had at home is standard issue. So, here are 12 things I found I took for granted:
Food
It’s not an exaggeration to say that every college student spends a majority of time eating, thinking about eating, or wishing they were eating. Home is where the fridge is fully stocked and the pantry overfloweth. And all the college students said, Amen. Whether or not you like your college campus’ food, you will be disgusted with the options by the end of the year – if not by the end of first semester. The food is good, but you can only eat Panda Express or Chick-fil-a so many times. Nothing beats mom’s cooking.
Laundry
Who knew you needed to start saving your quarters and spare change in middle school in order to pay for laundry. Also, you can’t just throw some clothes in the wash and forget about it like you do at home. No, if your laundry is sitting in the washer or dryer for more than 15 minutes, you run the risk of an impatient hall mate throwing the clothes on the floor or, if you’re lucky, on top of the dryer.
Steady Wifi
Self-explanatory.
Your Own Room
Having roommates is best, but you’ll always remember, with fondness, having your own room. On a college campus it can be nearly impossible to find a quiet, private space; there is always someone around. At home, you could always retreat to the comfort of your own room and your sweet, sweet bed.
Closet Space
Not everyone grew up with as large of a closet as I did, but a section of a three foot hanger rod and three drawers can be an adjustment for anyone.
Backyard
The 30 second walk from anywhere in your house to the backyard is hard to not miss. Green grass. Trees. Porch swing – Life doesn’t get much better
Dishwasher
You know you miss having a dishwasher when you and your roommates search for the right Glade plug-in to mask the small of the dishes that have piled up in the sink.
Free Printing
We may be in the age of technology, but you’d be surprised by how much money you can drop on paper and ink in a given semester. At home, it’s free; well, free for you.
I used to think that I couldn’t sleep less than I did in high school – averaging about six hours a night. Then, college hit. You forget the meaning of the word.
Pet(s)
The fact of the matter is, when you go off to school you might miss your dog more than your family some days; that cute, fluffy little guy who is not only your loyal friend, but your confidante. You can’t talk to him over the phone or communicate with them in the same way when you’re gone. You never realize just how important they are till you leave them.
Stable Furniture
Any GCU student who has set foot in Peet’s Coffee on campus knows the tables resemble spinning tops more than a usable surface… yet we still love it there. Also, the dorm couches with the mysterious smells and stains truly make you appreciate your couch at home which just so happens to fit you perfectly.
Family
This is the big one. It’s amazing how much your view of your family can change when you go off to school. For me, my parents went from being my parents, to my some of my best friends.
Clearly I took a lot for granted in high school. However, by acknowledging these oversights it encourages me that I’m doing something right here at college – growing up. The more I mature, the more clearly I can see how it truly is home sweet home.
