It’s always sad to pack up my things and leave Athens for the summer. It’s one of my favorite places in the world, and I go through withdrawal when I’m home. But there are plenty of good things about being home too ... as well as other not-so-good stuff. As with many other aspects of life, there are pros and cons to being home for the summer.

Pro: You get to see your hometown friends

This is probably the best part of being home over the summer. My hometown friends are pretty much scattered all over the place, so the only time I get to see them are on breaks. It’s great to catch up with those friends you haven’t seen in a while and do all of your favorite things together. It can be tricky, especially as you get older, to get together because of busy schedules, but you always make time for your pals.

Con: You miss school like crazy

I know I’m not alone in this. I have serious separation anxiety from Athens over the summer, and the few weekend trips I can squeeze in just aren’t enough. I miss the beautiful brick streets and campus, going to the bars on Court Street and all my friends at school. Maybe this makes me a big nerd, but I even miss class sometimes. (OU has amazing professors and classes, so how could I not?) Also, I need some Wings Over in my life ASAP.

Pro: Your parents

After being gone for so long, you’re probably glad to spend some time with your parents. And I’m sure they are happy to spend time with you too. For a little while you don’t need to worry about rent, groceries, paying for laundry and finding a parking spot. I love that my parents cook almost every night so I don’t have to do it. It’s good having them close by if you need them.

Con: You parents …

This sounds horrible, I know. But after being used to all the independence that college offers, coming home takes a little bit of that away. Parents are known to ask a thousand questions: “What are you doing?”
“Where are you going?”
“Who are you with?”
“Why didn’t you do this?”
“When will you be home?”
They ask because they care, but it can be a little stifling. We still love you parents. (You’re not really a con Mom, if you’re reading.)

Pro: The comfort of your own home

This one goes out to all you dorm dwellers or those that live in your sorority/fraternity house. Finally, you get some more personal space than you do at school. Sharing living space isn’t the worst, but it’s not always great either. Even if you share a bathroom with a sibling(s), it’s a hell of a lot better than communal bathrooms (ew). You get to sleep in your own bed and have more space to move around. I live off campus now, but it’s still comforting to be at my real home. And my pets are at home, so obviously that’s the best.

Toss Up: Siblings

Just like parents, your siblings can be a pro or con. You love them, but living with them again isn’t always peachy. You probably don’t get to see them all that much, so it’s great to spend time with them again. But you have to share, deal with their problems and put up with their sass (and they with yours). At the end of the day they’re your annoying sibling(s), whom you love.

Pro: Hometown favorites
Some things you can only get at home. Your favorite local food spots, concert venues, sports teams, parks and shopping centers are all conveniently close by. Columbus has so many things I miss when I’m in Athens. I love going to outdoor concerts at the LC Pavilion or exploring the Short North with my friends.

Con: Being less busy and more alone than you’re used to

This has been a busy summer for me, but it doesn’t really compare to how busy I am at school. The break is nice, but I’m used to and like being busy. This is mostly because I like being around people. At school, I have very little alone time, or if I’m in my room, at least my roommates are just down the hall. Now I have a lot more free time, and it’s weird. I miss my A-town friends.

Pro: The break from school

Unless you’re taking summer class, which sucks and I’m sorry. I have an internship so I feel your pain. But it’s nice having less stress about doing schoolwork and going to class every day. I got burned out last year from two grueling semesters of difficult classes and a heavy workload. It’s so nice to not freak out about forgetting about an assignment last minute.

Con: Working
This summer I have an internship and another job. My internship and job are both great, but it's tiring. Sometimes I do both in a day, and I'm about to fall sleep when I get home. I now go to bed much earlier than I do at school so I can be rested to work, but I feel like a grandma. The struggle of trying to be a real person.

Pro: You can do what you want

If you want to go out and get drinks on a Wednesday night with your friends, do it. There’s no 7:30 a.m. class the next day. Go get ice cream, go on a mini road trip, try something new. You can read that book you’ve been dying to read (It's "The Goldfinch" for me. AMAZING!). Don't feel bad about binge-watching "Orange is the New Black" either. There are so many opportunities to do fun things, so go do it!