Life in college is an experience that will only ever happen once. Balancing a social life, schoolwork, and family becomes your expertise. However, it always feels a little weird transitioning from your “social self” to your “student self” and to your “family self.” I’ve noticed that it tends to feel like I’m leading a double life.

1. When your home for the weekend and parents tell you that you have a curfew. We’ve all had that debate. You tell your mom that you’re going out and she tells you to be home by 11 p.m. so you challenge her with, “But if I were at college, I’d be coming home whenever I want!” Truth is, they will always have the final say if you’re under their roof.
2. When you have to go get your flu shot by yourself. Now that you’re in college, you’re expected to do all this crazy stuff by yourself. Don’t worry though, I’m sure your friend will hold your hand while you get your flu shot.
3. When you can’t remember what to do at night when you aren’t at school. Even if it's just sitting around doing nothing, it always feels more fun in college.
4. When your mom can’t call the financial aid office anymore because they will only talk to you. Helpful hint: if you give your mom your username and password, she can probably still take care of most of it for you.
5. When you can’t talk to your friends from home about guys anymore because they don’t know any of the guys you hang out with. “Show me a picture,” becomes all too familiar when telling your friends from home about the boys you met at school.
6. When your parents come to visit and you have to remind yourself and your friends to put a filter on. I mean, you’re living with a bunch of teenagers all the time so you kind of forget how to act when there’s an adult in the room.
7. When you have to buy your own groceries. I don’t know about everyone else, but I hate spending my own money on groceries or toiletries.
8. When your grandma calls and you have to try to keep the conversation strictly about academics. What did I do last night? Uh, I studied! And did homework, lots of homework, Grandma.
9. When you see a dog/baby while at school and you get way too excited. I’ve gotten entirely too comfortable with going up to strangers asking them if I can pet their dogs.
10. When you’ve had pizza for dinner five times in the last week. When it’s the only edible option, this can become an issue. However, it does really make you appreciate your mom’s home cooked meals.
11. When you can’t remember how to dance at a family party. But the lights are on. And I don’t think I'm supposed to stand on this table.
12. When you can’t help but get a little sad whenever you have to say goodbye to your family. The sinking feeling I get whenever I say goodbye to my mom and dad, whether it be after summer break or after spending the day with them, it all feels the same. As much as I love being surrounded by my friends, nothing beats the safety of having your parents around. Luckily, family is only ever a phone call away.