Throughout the semester, times can get tough for students. Teachers start piling on the projects and papers, and it just seems like everything is all due at once. Sometimes it may even feel like the universe just isn't on your side. And while some students may go out to parties or take a small day trip somewhere, there's one trip that can always help the stressed, mid-semester college student: a trip home.

Whether you live an hour away from campus or across the country, a trip home is always a treat. My roommates and I being from the same, small beach town, anticipate the trip home throughout the week. Finally, we make our way across the state of Florida back to where we know and love. The most perfect part of this trip is when we're almost back to our neighborhood and we cross over from the mainland to the barrier island, a drive we used to do daily and think nothing of. You can see the vast expanse of water, small boats and houses in the distance, everything just seems so picturesque.

At home, I'm reunited with all the things I missed so much: my siblings playfulness, my cozy bedroom, homemade dinners—even just having a comfy couch to pass out on while watching television is nice. Life just feels different here, things are slower. I can look out my bedroom window and see water, not students rushing to classes. I can actually be alone and have quiet time, something that's practically nonexistent at a big university. While I'm rather outgoing and love meeting new people, it's always nice to just be alone to have some time to myself to reflect on life.

And I can't forget to mention one of my favorite aspects of being home—seeing all my old friends. While I've met lots of new people in college from all different backgrounds, there's nothing like meeting up with an old friend and picking up right where you left off. Sharing inside jokes, reminiscing on memories past—there really is nothing better. While you may be apart for long periods of time, these are the people that will always be there for you when you come back and know you better than anyone else does.

While college is great, and I love knowing that I'm learning more every day and working towards my goals, there are times I just wish I could live at home again, hang out with my friends every day and not have to worry about anything. Being on your own is invigorating and the independence is a great feeling, but sometimes you just need to be surrounded by your family and the places you know and love.