It is a place to get away and be independent, to grow, make friends, and have fun. With getting to eat ice cream whenever you want and stay up until the morning hours, comes the responsibility of also going to school and attending classes. The academic workload can build up especially around midterms. It is mid-October and at Villanova University we are just getting back from our week-long fall break. Before break, the work was becoming overwhelming, for most of my classes had misterm assignments due. With break in the near future, I pushed through as any other Villanova student would and completed all of my work knowing that those home cooked meals were just around the corner.

As break approached I began to miss things about being home that I hadn't thought about before. After not having been home in a bit over two months, you fall into a routine and sort of forget what is at home. I realized that I would get to see some of my best friends from High School, get an update on how my younger siblings were doing in school, relax by the fire in our living room without having to write a paper hanging over my head, enjoy the cooler weather of up north just outside of Boston, Mass, shop and eat at my favorite places back in high school, eat my mother's home cooked meals, and take my two dogs on walks through our favorite nearby woods.

I had the opportunity to even go visit two of my friends at their colleges and then travel to western mass to the school I had transferred from. After a short flight home, I embraced my parents for the first time in two months. It was refreshing to be surrounded by my family again and to sleep in my bed at home. My dogs were as excited as ever and the quaint little town I grew up in was decorated with pumpkins, falling leaves, and orange, red, and yellow trees. The Friday night football games captured most of our town on a cold night and my mother's chili cooked to perfection sat in the candle lit kitchen. It was nice to be home.

Another thing that I think college kids love about going home is the quick break from academic responsibility. I had not realized it but a break from school work was definitely nice. Knowing it was waiting for me when I got back to school wasn't the greatest thought; however, I still appreciated the break. One thing that I wish I could have done over break back home is go apple picking. In New England, the foliage is outstanding and apple picking with the fam is a must!! I did manage to get my caramel apple and cider donut this fall though, so all is well.