1. RECESS!!!

Recess was easily one of the best parts about school, growing up. It came with a pretty decent mix of friend drama, kickball, matters of the heart, and the long-lasting stench of sweat and grass as we all walked back into school. If it was raining outside and recess got canceled, those were the LONGEST days of the school year. Recess is basically what we college kids refer to as "working out", which unfortunately isn't a lifestyle everyone can mold into, unlike recess.

2. ACTUALLY getting time to sleep!

The amount of complaining that went into sleeping too early as a kid is kind of frustrating to look back on. Nowadays, I look forward to the days that I have nothing going on to be able to get a full 8 hours of sleep. Sleep time was completely taken for granted. My current sleep schedule is basically just a complication of a bunch of naps throughout the day.

3. Not having to worry about money.

It's so sad that by the time you realize that your parents are the real MVP's because they basically took care of ALL your clothes, food, and livelihood, it's time to grow up and take care of yourself. As much as it is exhilarating being independent, it is emotionally and mentally exhausting. Rent, food, clothes, school - by the time you take care of all the things you need, you make every excuse not to go out because, well, the next paycheck has got to come in because your parents have done their part!

4. Getting homework assignments that your parents could help you with.

While we're on the topic of parents being the real MVP's, remember the math worksheets, language arts worksheets, and history worksheets that your parents could sit with you and help you figure out. Well, unfortunately, in the college world, worksheets are now papers and presentations. No more playing it off so that your mom finishes your math homework of your dad to makes you a volcano science project.

5. Snack Time!

This could easily rival recess for one of the best times during the school day. As a college kid who has to MAKE time to eat a normal meal, looking back on this makes me regret not savoring each moment. It's sad, I know. Just like sleep, eating and snack time were things that we didn't think too much about until now, when we don't have it anymore and we have to be adults and feed ourselves according to our schedules.

6. Being content and excited about the little things.

I feel like as a kid, it didn't take a lot for me to get excited. To name a few, things, like being line leader, going on a field trip, getting worms and dirt for snack time, and being the one to wake everyone up after nap time, were all things that would put a wide grin on my face. No care in the world. No worries about what other people would think. I was just living my best life, for me. Nowadays, we are so busy with life that we forget to take a moment and find joy in the little things.

7. Our curiosity never took a break.

There are some things I feel like we've all done as kids that really have no other explanation except that we were curious. Here are some examples:

- We have all wondered if our real heart was shaped like the hearts we draw. (<3)

- We've all tried to balance the on and off light switch to see what would happen.

- We would close the refrigerator really slow to see when the light would turn off.