The words “spring break” often times conjure up images of beaches, parties, and big road trips with all of your friends from college. Lots of people think that spring break has to be this big huge event and that going all out is part of the college experience. This idea has grown so much that it makes a person feel almost obligated to go somewhere and feel lame if he or she doesn’t.

I definitely felt this way my first year of college. It seemed like everyone was doing something exciting and I wasn’t, even though the majority of people probably were in the same boat as I was. I also didn’t yet understand that it’s really not a big deal if you don’t do something super exciting over break. In fact, just being able to go home and do nothing sounds like a pretty good deal sometimes.

There is actually a lot of value to going home for spring break. For one, you get to sleep in your own bed and catch up on all the sleep you lost to studying in the first part of the semester. And I know first-hand that if there’s anything college students love, it’s sleep and good food. Speaking of food, while you’re at home you can take the opportunity to stuff yourself full of the food your mom makes for you instead of eating at the cafeteria or making easy mac in your microwave. It’s also food you don’t have to pay for, so there’s a win-win. You can also just hang out with your dogs, your siblings, your old friends, or even just your parents for a couple days.

I have definitely learned the value in all of these things since my freshman year, and I was more than happy to just go home this year. If you chose to go home this year too, good for you! Going home to see your dogs is always a great choice.