So you went back home this summer, thinking it'd be more reasonable "rent wise" or because you missed your family and friends. It seemed like a great idea at the end of May, after finals and most of your friends left campus, but now...now, you're kind of regretting it. You can't help but wonder if you made the wrong decision by coming back to a town that, although it remembers you, doesn't exactly feel like "home" anymore. So sure it may suck now, but here's how you can handle it:

1. FINDING WORK

Part of the problem is how hard it is to find work here, given the short span of time they call summer break. Before you left, that span of time from May till the end of August seemed like plenty of time. But then you come home, and although you fight tooth and nail, going from interview to interview and clearly putting in a hell of a lot of effort into your presentability, not many, if any, employers want to hire someone who will be moving away again come fall. It may not matter that you interview exceptionally well, or that your family knows the owner of the establishment. Even if the manager goes so far as to mention that they are impressed with your previous job experience, sadly, sometimes it just isn't good enough. But you can't blame these people! They just don't want to have to start the whole process over again and waste anybody's time and money. But still, knowing that doesn't make you feel very good. Sometimes you end up having to go back to a previous job that you absolutely hated. But hey, at least you have a job! You just have to keep telling yourself that it's money you wouldn't have to save up and take back with you if you were doing nothing instead.

2. COLLEGE FRIENDS VS. FRIENDS FROM HOME

You went to college and met so many new people who share your special interests and worldly ideas: people who live the same kind of lifestyle as you and are working towards the same degree, or maybe you even the same eagerness for the same internships. Maybe during school, you attend the same improv troupe or have shared the same wacky professors. These college friends know you as this crazy cool person who the folks back at home still haven't been able to adjust to. Not that your friends from home don't love you, but they still can't exactly understand you or the life you've chosen to live. Knowing this may hurt now, but you have to remember that they aren't going through what you're going through. You should, however, be able to learn from each other's experiences.

3. DATING

I don't care what anybody says about summer flings. Of course, they're fun now, but for the people out there who have this fantasy about it working out and being something long term, you must be extra cautious. I'm not saying don't date during the summer, because right now you might need a little pick me up, but don't expect anything from these relationships. They're called "flings" for a reason. And if you really want to have something more serious, make sure that you can juggle your college life with it, because you're going back in a couple of months regardless.

4. YOUR HABITS ARE QUESTIONED

So, you smoke or drink now. Maybe you party more than you used to, or don't eat or sleep on the same schedule as before you left. And your parents are always asking you questions about it. But you can't really get mad at them for being surprised, I mean, you're still their baby. Unfortunately, all you can do about it right now is just push it off your shoulders while still being respectful towards your parent's ground rules while you're in their presence or in their house. I mean sure, you may be an adult now, but it's still their house.

5. NO ONE GETS WHY YOU'RE SO "BORED"

You're probably really down in the dumps right now, or at least bored. While you're in college, there's always an event to dress up for or a party to let loose at. But here at home, you're just kind of in the middle of the lives of everyone around you. Don't let yourself sleep for an entire day over it! Don't lock yourself up in your room until summer's over! If you do that then you will have wasted an entire summer that you could have otherwise made the best out of. You could have made up with old friends, taken a road trip, or worked to pay towards your student loans. So don't be lame, be useful.

6. NO ONE "GETS YOU"

Whether you're college is in a big city like mine, or a Big Ten campus, you're now more cultured. You've got a new perspective on world issues, and you like to do things besides go to the mall or attend hometown get-togethers. Maybe you dress a little different or your hair's different, now, or you're more apt to speak your mind. Even when others may not want to hear it. And your family and friends at home seem a little confused or offended by it. They tell you that you have the wrong priorities or that you look like a punk, but the only reason they're saying these things to you is because they honestly just don't have the same perspective as you right now. But, they were young once. It's not like they don't understand, they just may be afraid because they don't always know how to provide what's best for you anymore.

But you know what? Despite this feeling like an eternity now, it's just a summer. And if this summer was really that bad, then come fall, you need to start planning a summer away from home next time. Find people to rent an apartment with, take up an internship, or be a camp counselor. Stop stressing out about it, because you're an adult now and you decide where it is you're gonna go next! And remember: