Being home from college means lots of good things: mom’s home-cooked meals, seeing old friends, not having any school work to do, being able to pet your dog whenever you want. But after about a week (maybe less, depending on if your parents and you get along), being home gets old. I keep saying I want to go home and my parents repeatedly tell me that I am home, but ‘home’ is not home. Here’s why being 'home' sucks:
1. I can’t see all my college friends
Some of them live in California, some of them live in New Jersey. They are all over the country and not a floor below me anymore. Yes, I can call them, but its not the same as seeing them at meals and hanging out with them until 2 a.m. every Friday (really, every night).
2. I’m judged if I go to waffle house three times a week
Waffle house is within walking distance of my dorm. Waffle house is cheap. Waffle house is magical. At college, my friends and I went so often, one of the servers would show us pictures of her kids. I can’t help if I’ve become addicted to it and have cravings at 11 p.m. almost every night.
3. I have to actually help prepare meals and then clean them up
At college, food just magically appears. Well, maybe not magically, but I personally have no involvement in its preparation. I just show up, thank the people who made it, and then consume it while surrounded by friends.
4. Curfews exist
If not for me, then for my friends who say I have to leave their house at midnight so they don’t get in trouble. What am I supposed to do until 2 a.m. when I actually decide to go to sleep?
5. I’m the only one awake at midnight
My family goes to sleep at 10 p.m. There’s still a solid four hours before I migrate to my bed to ‘sleep.' Netflix and chill by myself. Every night.
6. Everything fun I used to do is no longer fun
For some reason, walking around local hangouts is not the good time you remember. Everything at college is just so great that everything you used to do pales in comparison.
7. My county is boring AF
How did I live here for so long? What did I used to do?
8. My best friend lives six hours away suddenly
She used to be a two minute walk away. I would literally see her every day. Now, I have to call and text just to feel somewhat close still. Yes, I am counting down the days until we are reunited.
9. What do you mean there’s not an event with free food going on right now?
This one is self explanatory.
10. My family thinks I’m weird now
“Please stop spewing sorority.” – Actual quote from my mother. I’m sorry you didn’t go Greek and don’t understand anything I’m saying. Now please continue to listen as I talk about my life which happens to be highly Greek-centric.
Being home is something we all obviously look forward to for the holidays, but I'm ready to get back to my real home on Techwood Drive.
