Welcome home fellow college students! It's time for the much needed, end of semester, break. If you're like me, you were counting down the days until you were finished with your finals and were able to pack up your dorm room and head home, to wherever home is. Home means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Home may be a 400 mile drive, a 6 hour flight, or just right down the road. No matter where your "home" is, I'm sure we can all agree, there are some things that are just better at home. Here are a few of them...

1. Sleep

We've all been anticipating the first nights sleep in our own bed since arriving home from school. We've been "dreaming" about flopping on our bed as soon as we get home, and not leaving for at least 24 hours. I mean after a week of finals and no sleep, we deserve it, right? But seriously, there's just something about falling asleep in your own bed. That first night back almost feels like we've never left.

2. The Atmosphere

Whether it's the scent of your mom's favorite candle burning, or if she's cooking your favorite meal anticipating your upcoming arrival, or it's the familiar smell of your dogs breath while he's licking your face as soon as you walk in the door because he's so excited to see you, there's nothing like walking in the front door to familiarity and floods of memories of your home.

3. The Food

You can't argue with the fact that everything tastes better at home. Say goodbye to the subpar dining hall food, and get ready for a month full of comfort food and your favorite meals everyday. You can't forget the foods that are also unique to your area. For my friends from the eastern part of Pennsylvania, they can't wait to get home to have their first cheesesteak in months. For me, I can't wait to be home to eat homemade perogies and a Pirmanti's sandwich. It really wouldn't be home without these things.

4. The time to take an actual break

For the first time since September, you can finally sit down and say you have 0 responsibilities. Your classes are over, so what are you going to do with all of this free time? I'm sure you have a list of shows you want to binge watch on Netflix, and a lot of sleep you'd like to catch up on. So do it, you deserve it. Take a break, and enjoy doing absolutely nothing for a few days.

I guess the saying "home is where the heart is" is true. I don't know how to put it into words, but being home after a stressful, long semester can cure just about anything. For now, see you soon, college. I'll miss you, but I'm so happy to be home.