There are about six weeks until this semester ends. This final stretch is notorious for giving college students extra stress, homesickness, and general malaise about not being done with the semester. In honor of these last six weeks, I chose six things that I am over the moon pumped about to experience when I go home for the winter break.

1. No class

Texas A&M, I love you, but we have had enough of each other this semester. This has been my most challenging semester by far, and while it may be due to my heavy course load, senioritis is definitely kicking in quite a bit at this point. Every Monday, I have to convince myself to go to class (and Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday…) We need a break from one another, and I need a break from homework, studying, quizzes, projects, group projects, and exams. Thanks and gig ‘em, but ya girl needs a mental break for a bit.

2. Family time

I am a huge family person, so being away from my family during the semester is tough. This semester has also been super busy, so I have not had the opportunity to go home as frequently as I do during most fall semesters. Luckily, Facetime is a godsend, so I can see and talk to my siblings as much as I want. However, my siblings are quite young, three and one years old, so FaceTime is not always a great substitute. I cannot wait for play time and taking my little sister to get ice cream and taking the two to the park and watching Moana and Sing one hundred times over and over. I am so ready for some quality family time.

3. Good food

Mom, I love you, but I am not coming home for your food. Rather, for the food of my city. College Station is unfortunately not home to a Braum’s or Taco Bueno, two restaurants that might as well be food groups for how often I consume them. Braum’s has excellent ice cream and milkshakes and is a perfect spot for those previously mentioned ice-cream dates with my little sister. Taco Bueno, while hardly resembling Mexican food at all, is a great option when you want a good (see what I did there) burrito or cinnamon chips.

4. Just being back in my city

I live in a suburb of Dallas, but I spend a lot of time in Dallas during the weekends, whether that be shopping at Northpark, visiting the dozens of aisles at the big Half Price Books off Northwest Highway, or catching a movie at AMC or the Angelika. I love love love Dallas, and being in a small city without much to do can get old. Dallas and I are in dire need of a good reunion.

5. The holidays

While I am not a huge fan of Thanksgiving, I do love Christmas and New Year’s Day. My extended family celebrates Christmas together every year on Christmas Eve, and we make tamales together a few days before and have a huge blow out with great food. We also play a game of White Elephant that is always full of laughs and can last for hours on end, as I have a dozen aunts and uncles and about forty first cousins. New Year’s Day is always a more lowkey affair for me, and I’m usually asleep before midnight, but I love the promise and opportunity that the new year can bring.

6. Missing my college city

By week two honestly, most college students are ready to be back in their college city. This is especially true of college freshmen who have just gotten their first taste of their freedom, and all of a sudden they are back to following mom and dad’s rules. Although by the time you are back in your college town, you are missing your hometown again, you can’t help but wish you were back at college with all your best buds.