The holidays can be tough being away from home at school. The weeks leading up to finals feel never ending and all you can think about is being cuddled up on the couch with your dog smiling at your bright Christmas tree shining in your living room. But, if you go to the right school the best time of the year can be just as magical as home.

Most people say that home is where your heart is, but here at SHU Heart is where the home is. Your hometown and your house and your family will always be your true home, but I am so grateful to be able to call SHU my second home. It's not just the intimacy of a small school or seeing a friendly face every hallway you turn down, SHU is comfy cozy and now full of the Christmas spirit.

As soon as you make your way down Park Ave. you're met by a monstrosity of a wreath attached to the beautiful Martire building and as you make your way into campus you're accompanied by a driveway of tall glowing trees in front of the Edgarton. Every dorm room door is adorned with tinsel, wreaths, human-sized bows, and every Christmas decoration you or Target could possibly think of.

When you have a school that goes above and beyond to make sure you're surrounded by positivity it's hard not to feel like you have a home away from home. Finding people who genuinely care about you and celebrate your successes and pick you up whenever you need become your truest friends and make every obstacle you face a little bit funnier and a little less sucker. At SHU you find your second home and your second family to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with and all the fun and hard times in between. So this holiday season, grab the ones closest to you and enjoy the beautiful view that is SHU that the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to here.