Going home isn't for everyone. Sometimes, it's a hassle to work up the energy to drive the however many hours it takes to get back to your hometown, but often times, it's worth the trip. Returning home since college is completely different than when you were in high school and returned back from a class trip or a spring break. This time, it's all about you.
1. You're the superstar for these next couple of days.
Coming home has always felt like somewhat of a vacation to me. You pack all of your stuff up and get out of the crazy, busy college town and head home to a quieter, more suburban area, but once you're there, it feels like everyone wants to see you. It makes you feel really fun and cool, and being busy visiting with friends and family always puts you in a good mood.
2. Home-cooked meals.
Oh my gosh, how I miss home-cooked meals. The dining halls were OK and still are really convenient, but somehow, everything tastes the same. Living on my own is pretty cool when you have the Internet full of recipes and absolutely no clue how to cook a single thing. So, going home and being served a meal your mom used to make when you lived there 24/7 is like a gift from God himself.
3. A visit with the pet you did not expect to miss so much.
Everybody knows they're bound to miss their cat, dog or whatever pet may be, but once you get to school and you're away from family and friends, you really start to realize how big of an impact that pet made on your life and how secure you felt just knowing it was around and always loving you. It's another thing to look forward to when heading home, and it's another friend to hang out with when you get back.
4. Being the cool sibling for once.
My siblings and I were always fairly close, but something about moving out brings you all closer. So, when you walk through the door, they want to hear all about college and what you've been up, to and they want your advice on things, too. It's a pretty sweet gig, if you ask me.
5. Having a new appreciation for both your hometown and at school.
Sometimes campus gets a little overwhelming and home is a little bit underwhelming, but the balance is something you never knew you needed. When you've been home, you're almost always excited to head back to college, and when you're at school and the stress gets to be a little bit too much, you're really happy about having that home to go back to when you need to take a breath.
So, next time you need a minute to cool down or want the extra day with your family, consider this list and talk yourself into a relaxing weekend at home with your family.
