In the midst of the holiday season and the oh-so-joyous winter break for us college students, the time to deal with reverse family culture shock is upon us. Though many people understand and may have once experienced the concept of culture shock and reverse culture shock, reverse family culture shock is at times more difficult to understand. Most important, however, is the need to discuss the concept with your family.

In order to understand reverse family culture shock, one must first master the idea of how it comes about. In a direct way, culture shock may occur when first arriving at college in a different town, state, or even country. Without one's family and hometown friends to provide comfort in this new environment, young adults may feel a bit uneasy and overwhelmed in their new lives. Once they become familiar with their routines, make new friends, and realize that being away at school isn't at all bad, students begin to lose this sense of culture shock and become one with their new lives.

And then the holidays hit. As if four short months away wasn't enough time already, it is soon realized that while being away at school, our families continued their lives without us. Yes, time does not stop when we go away; in fact, it only evolves. Coming home for the holidays may be even more difficult than leaving home just a few months earlier. In fact, your family has probably come up with their own set of routines and everyday expectations compared to when you were home. Schedules will be different and at often times may cause conflict amongst family members as a result of your return. In fact, you begin to shortly realize that your siblings and parents may have changed just as much as you.

Without them realizing how much you have grown, the lack of sleep you have obtained during finals, and the amount of wine you have consumed, your family no longer understands that you are in fact, a different person. Thus bringing us full circle to reverse family culture shock. So my advice to you, fellow college student, do not worry or stress over the reaction of your family. Although they may not see how much you've changed at the moment, they will begin to understand.