While you're in high school, it may seem like the worst time of your life with your parents being in control and there being so many rules. You're probably so anxious to leave for college and have the freedom you've been waiting for your entire life.
That is, until you actually leave for college and your entire world has been turned upside down. All of a sudden you're in a new place, on your own, where your comfortable bubble no longer exists. Now you're thinking, "I wish I could go back to high school when everything was easier."
Here are some things you may find yourself missing from the glory days.
1. Your Parents
If you're like me, your parents make up the majority of your support system. You can rely on them for anything and everything. While you still can, it's done in a lesser fashion from miles away. In high school, you didn't have to worry about what you were having for dinner or if you needed help with a project, they were there.Now, the hardest part is having a rough day and all you crave is a hug from your mom but a phone call will have to suffice. I'm lucky to say that I can still count on my parents to be there for me, even four hours away.
2. Sports
From what I've learned, most college students miss the chance to play sports at the high school level. Some of them have played since they could first walk and they've grown up knowing teamwork and competition. Losing that as you enter college can be hard for many, now having to settle for intramural teams and playing the park with friends.
3. Being a Big Fish in a Little Pond
In college, you'll meet a lot of people who came from graduating classes of less than 100 and some who came from classes of over 500. Now, your graduating class somewhere around 5,000 and you'll have to understand that not everyone is going to know who you are like they may have in high school.
4. Not Having To Pay For Everything On Your Own
In high school, you may have had it easy with your parents paying your way through life until you get to college and there's promo shirts and going out with friends on your own dime.
5. Not Having To Pay For Textbooks Or Tuition
This needs no commentary. Having to pay for tuition and textbooks sucks.
6. Test Reviews
While studying for your first exam, guessing what your professor is going to include, you'll be wishing you were back in your high school classroom going over your test review.
7. Movie Days
In college, professors aren't ever too lazy to teach so cherish the days of watching Disney and Netflix in class.
8. Your Community
Your home church, local stores and restaurants, and neighbors. These have shaped your experience in your hometown so it's natural to miss these things when you leave but they make coming home that much sweeter.
9. Relationships With Teachers
Your high school teachers had fewer students per class period so it was easier to get to know them on a one-on-one level but in college, your professors can have hundreds of students to remember. Take advantage of getting to know your teachers on a personal level because that's something I definitely miss while taking college courses.
10. Not Having To Be So Good At Time Management
In high school, your schedule and time commitments are basically planned out for you with little variation. Coming into college, you'll have to manage your time studying, working, and organizations by yourself because your schedule could be drastically different each day.
11. Family Pets
Let's be honest. You're going to miss your pet back home and may often be your motive for taking a trip home every once in a while.
12. Second Chances and The Ability To Fail Without It Ruining You
High school was relatively easy because your teachers were sometimes willing to let you try assignments again or do extra work for the grade. In college, it is what it is and you've just got to work a whole lot harder to get your grade to a decent letter.
The intention of this article isn't to make you dread going to college, it's simply to encourage you to take advantage of the little blessings of your hometown and simplicities of the high school life. College is going to be the time of your life but coming home is always a much needed vacation.
