As I sit here and think about the fact that my summer is more than half over I realize that I'm not sad. I am more excited than ever to go back to school. There are so many things that I miss about school and when I talk to others who are back from college they share the same attitude as I do.
First of all I am missing the freedom. Living on your own and having a space that you feel like you own and being able to do anything whenever you want with no questions asked is amazing. If I want to go to target at 10:00, I will. If I want to go stuff my face with some Taco Bell or Wendy's at 2 AM, all my friends would support my decision and even give me a ride. There aren't any text messages coming through from my parents saying "the door is being locked at 10:30, hope you took your key!" or the classic "why are you out so late, are you planning on coming home?". The best part about having freedom is not having to listen to anyone else's agenda. Waking up at home without any plans for the day is dangerous because as soon as you tell your parents you don't have any plans they come up with plenty of things you can do for them around the house such as: cut the grass, dust, do some laundry, run to the store and pick this up for me. The list never ends.
Next for those of us who have significant others at school the long distance is getting to us. Going from seeing that special someone everyday to seeing them once a month is an incredible adjustment. When you just want a hug or a cuddle from that one person that is too far away to give it to you, life gets a little more real. There's a longing for this person that you haven't felt before because you haven't been in this position before. It feels like sometimes the person you're dating isn't even real because texting and phone calls/FaceTime just don't do the relationship you have justice. They say that distance makes the heart grow stronger because when you are finally without a person for so long you realize how much they really mean to you.
Then there's the issue of readily available food. I don't know if anybody really feels this struggle as much as I do, but I really don't cook. Going to the cafeteria and picking up a plate and putting pre-made food on it isn't hard at all. The hardest part about getting food at school is just figuring out what you want (especially when all the options stink) and trying not to spill your drink when walking with your plate and silver wear to the table. When I get hungry at home I eat a bunch of random snacks or I just skip meals all together because I clearly cannot fend for myself.
Last but not least is the issue of not having as many friends to hang out with when you're home. Being at school and wanting to hang out with someone is as easy as walking over to their room and seeing if they're there. Being at home and trying to make plans is virtually impossible because everybody is working or on vacation or has a family event to go to. Even when you find a day that works for everyone and plan way in advance there is still a very high chance that someone will cancel last minute.
Going away to college has really opened my eyes to the opportunity that living in a different place on your own gives you. It allows you to do, see, and experience more than you would if you were still living at home and for that I am incredibly thankful.