For many new and returning college students, summer is ending as it's almost time to pack their bags and leave for school. This was my first college summer, and I've noticed a pretty common trend in how my friends and I felt about being home for 3+ months and adjusting to living life away from school.
1. "I love having my own room again"
When the academic year ends, there's nothing like climbing into your bedroom at home, surrounded by everything that comforts you. Your favorite childhood stuffed animal, the decor you meticulously picked out at HomeGoods, and everything else that makes your room yours offer a safe place for you to unwind. And let's face it, being able to have your own private space is something that is super rare for many people at school (unless they had a single!).
2. "I have to tell people where I'm going?"
One of the biggest adjustments from college life to being under your parents' roof is remembering to keep tabs with them when you're going out. Gone (temporarily) are the days where you could leave your dorm or apartment to get lunch with a friend, run errands, or go study without having to report to anyone. Now, grabbing your car keys and heading out the door without consulting your mom or dad about your plans will warrant a super annoyed reaction, and it's hard at first to remember to keep them in the loop.
3. "Damn, I spent a LOT of money last semester"
Two semesters can really drain your bank account if you're not careful, and you may be spending the summer trying to remedy that by working while you are home. Being at school involves a lot of little expenses and looking at the dent you made can be super eye-opening. Honestly, it's scary that getting a $4 iced coffee twice a week can really add up (NOT speaking from personal experience, of course).
4. "I miss my school friends"
This is a BIG one. Having all your friends basically a 5-10-minute walk away from you on campus turns into being hours away. Thinking about all the group study sessions, coffee runs, and nights out from the past year make you miss the people you spent them with. Although you're ecstatic to see your home friends and make memories with them during the summer, there's no way that you don't miss the people that made your school year amazing.
5. "I AM SO BORED"
Boredom can hit like a truck between you and your home friends' busy schedules, and you may spend more days than most on your own or working. Remember that while Instagram and Snapchat can really make it seem like everyone else is having a jam-packed summer full of tropical vacations and crazy adventures, most people back from college are in the same boat as you. It's okay to not spend every second doing something, and home also allowing you to enjoy time with family, which you may have missed a lot of at school.
6. "Is it move-in day yet???"
Even though there are a lot of upsides to summer (no schoolwork, seeing your family and home friends, and getting to do your favorite things in your hometown), there becomes a point in the summer where the countdown to going back to college has begun. Maybe you miss the independence, your friends, your campus, or a combination of all three. Either way, there is one thing on your mind: going back to your home away from home to make even more memories to bring back with you next summer.
