Leaving for college freshmen year was a huge change for me because it was the first time I was leaving home. However, coming home from college during winter break, spring break and summer break was even more difficult. While away, I would speak to my parents every day. It didn't really feel like I was gone because I would fill them in on every detail of my life at school. I would tell them about all my new friends. They would find out about how hard my classes were and what I got on my English test the day before. It was great how, although, I was away from home, I did not feel far away from my home. My parents were my home and I still had my bond with them.
But when I would ask them what is new at the house, their usual response would always be "same old, same old" or "nothing is going on". I would always believe them because college seemed so interesting compared to when I was home. But, every time I went home there was always something new.
I came home once for a Jewish holiday and my whole basement was converted into an office for my dad. Then for winter break, the garage was empty and it was able to fit two cars. Usually, the garage could only fit just one car because the other side was jam packed with junk, but I guess while I was away they had cleaned it out. My parents even got a new mailbox and my brother got his braces off. It is funny how my parents left these details out over the phone when I would ask what is new. I felt like I was going to come home and there would be a "For Sale" sign on my house without my knowledge.
I guess to my parents these changes are small and do not matter. However, I came home from college and suddenly what was my home is slowly not my home anymore. I would even come home for winter and spring break living out of boxes because I knew I would have to pack up in a few weeks anyway. There would be no point in unpacking my clothes. It somewhat felt like I had no home. But I started to realize something.
Although it was hard feeling like my home for 17 years was no longer the same, I realized it was because my college was finding a place in my heart as home. My family will always be home, but I have made so many new friends freshmen year that I look forward to coming home to FDU every semester. The memories I've made at my college have made me proud to not only call FDU my school, but my second home.
No matter where I was, I would miss the other place. I would be at school and I would miss my family. I would miss my dog. I would miss the clean showers without shower shoes and the amazing homemade food. Then, I would decide to come home for a weekend and I would miss school. I would miss my friends. I would miss the independence and the freedom. I would miss being a step out of my door to see all of my friends.
If you do not miss your school even the slightest when you leave for breaks, you picked the wrong school. I love that I lived down the hall from my best friends and two minutes away from my boyfriend instead of 30 minutes. It is so rewarding to say I found my dream school. I look forward to each semester so I can come back to my second home. Although nobody ever tells you that going home does not feel the same, no one warns you about gaining a new home.
