Being away at college is one of the best times of our lives. We meet new friends, have new experiences and earn our degrees all at the same time. However, for some of us it's also incredibly hard to leave everything we knew and loved about our childhood and our home life behind and become completely independent. While there are opportunities to talk on the telephone and even see your parents and friends via Skype, it's just not the same.

I miss homemade meals. The cafeteria food gets us through our days, but we all know there are times when we have to splurge and go off campus for that burger and fries or that nice sandwich that tastes like a little slice of heaven compared to campus food. There's nothing like Dad's spaghetti and meatballs or Mom's chocolate chip pancakes.

I miss my room. Campus housing can be fun; you get to meet new friends and as the semesters go on, you can choose with whom you want to live. But campus living also has its drawbacks. At times, the drama associated with living in a suite with nine other girls can be overwhelming. There is something about your own cozy bed at home, in your own room, that's irreplaceable.

I miss my friends. We have all made those friends in college that you can go out and have a blast with and those friends to whom you can tell anything and everything. That is something special that I'm sure none of us take for granted. However, before college we had friends we grew up with, who have supported us for 14 years, and now we are all suddenly miles and miles apart. Sure, we stay in touch, but seeing each other is so much harder and that makes being away from home even harder.

I miss my pets. Your pets are around all day, every day. Maybe they don't “do” much, but they show nothing but continuous love for you. When you're sad, you can cuddle them and when you're happy, they're happy, too! Pets are part of the family and, especially if you're an only child, leaving your pets can be one of the toughest parts of going away to school.

I miss my parents. Your parents are there for you no matter what. They constantly have your back and they'll step up to the plate for you whenever you need them, no matter what the situation is. If you're upset, they'll find a way to make it better. If you do something good, they'll praise you as if you just became president. They're the reason you are who you are today. Leaving them to go to college is temporary. We all know we'll see them again and it probably won't be long until we do, but leaving them is hard. There is nothing like a hug from a mother or father to make us feel better.

Going to college is an amazing opportunity, but it does come with its hills and valleys. Acknowledging the struggles and talking through them (even on the telephone) with a parent or a close friend may be just the ticket for surviving those lonely nights when you start to miss a certain part of home that college just doesn't offer.