As the summer is coming to an end, we are all super excited to go back to school. The start of the academic year means football games, seeing school friends all the time and, most importantly, getting out of the house. Independence is great, but there are always a few things you'll miss about home.
1. Your bed
There's no place like your own bed. Its perfectly worn-in sheets, comfy pillows and familiar blankets. You spent almost every night there for the majority of your life. It's your safe place. So how could you not miss it? Your bed was always there to welcome you after a long day at school or work. It was always reliable with that perfect spot to sleep in. Don't worry, unless your parents convert your room into a gym while you're gone, it'll always be there to welcome you home.
2. Your pets
They miss you almost as much as you miss them. There's nothing worse than missing your pet, just wanting to cuddle and scratch them on the head anytime you please. Missing your dog may lead you to ask random strangers if you can pet their dogs so often that anyone you're with at the time will get really annoyed.
3. The pantry
Being able to go to the pantry and fridge whenever, with their seemingly unlimited supply of food, is one of the glorious aspects of living at home. Living away means you're either restricted to dining hall options or you have to buy your own groceries, neither of which are as fun as having someone do the work. Dorm situations are especially rough, when there is hardly enough room to keep a box of crackers on your shelf, let alone more substantial and desirable snacks. The pantry is a special blessing. Treasure it always.
4. Your parents
Sure, they may nag you to do chores, and they always want to know where you are, who you're with and when you'll be home. But you know you love them. Parents remind you of stability and family time that you had growing up. They love you and make you feel special. Spending time with your family isn't something to take for granted, because there will be days at school when all you want is a hug from your mom or to talk to your dad. Appreciate them while you can.
5. Your favorite restaurant
It's your go-to place for the no-fail good meal. For as long as you can remember it's been a staple in your life. You've eaten there at least once every few weeks. It's familiar and nothing can compare to the food there. After eating dining hall meals for a semester you'll return to this favorite place within hours of going home. Don't worry. They will probably still remember you and won't judge you for the absurd amount of food you order.
6. The quiet
The privacy you get at home is not something to take for granted. We often don't realize how peaceful it is to live at home versus a dorm or college apartment. Sure, it's awesome to live with college students, but they are anything but peaceful. College means loud music, lots of people and very little alone time. It's nice to be able to be by yourself and enjoy the peace while you can.
7. Home-cooked meals
Oh sweet mother molasses, home-cooked meals! That's in the kitchen you grew up with, using real plates and utensils, not crappy dining hall ones. It's true that nothing beats a home-cooked meal. It's what kids look forward to the most after being away from home for so long, forced to fend for themselves at meal time. Home-cooked meals are also generally tastier, healthier and fresher.
8. Your bathroom
You get to leave your junk all over the counter, you don't have to worry about shower shoes and no one will yell at you for taking too long. Having your own bathroom is such a blessing. Most college kids don't have access to a bathtub at all, but at home you can take baths whenever you want. Your home bathroom probably has decent water pressure as well, a rare commodity at school. No one at home can judge you for laying around in your towel for several hours after your shower either.
9. Quality laundry facilities
Sharing a washer and dryer with a ton of other college kids is kind of gross and sketchy. If you were lucky enough to have washers and dryers that locked, you never had to experience the pain of finding that someone stole your pair of lucky socks from the dryer, or added a few of their own items to your load. Nothing is grosser than finding someone else's underwear in with your load of laundry. Ew. Appreciate the scent of your familiar detergent while you can.
10.Old friends
They were friends with you even before you went to college and became a more well-functioning adult. Home friends are familiar and great to hang out with. There's just something comforting about knowing them so well and being able to totally be yourself with them. You'll have plenty of new friends at college, but you'll be happy to see them again when it's break time.
Soon we'll be starting new routines at school, and our lives will be as busy and fun as ever. Take some time to appreciate everything around you now so you'll have something to look forward to when you come home at Thanksgiving.
