It’s fall break and the best part about break, for those of us who can make the commute, is going home. After two months of classes, prelims, projects, long wild nights out, and long wild nights up studying it couldn’t have come soon enough. It’s also always around this time that everyone starts to feel a little homesick. Going home and enjoying the luxuries that we once took for granted continues to be an incredibly bright spot in my months at Cornell. It’s surprising how much a change of environment is sometimes needed to find a moment to breathe in the chaos that are our high pace, high demand, and high stress lives. A hiatus is welcome, even if it is only for four days.  And ever noticed how everything at home is always so much better? Maybe it’s the fact that we actually have the time to sleep or don’t have to go to classes, but my bed seems to be more comfortable and more conducive to sleep at home. Actually getting home can be a little rough, depending, but once you’re home it’s wonderful and here’s 10 fantastic reasons that will make you ask yourself why you ever even left in the first place:

1.    You get to see everyone.

When you go home you get to see parents, siblings, other family members, friends and pets! I always miss my dogs!    

2.    You get to sleep in your own bed.

Going home is the best time to sleep. I never sleep better than when I go home and sleep in my own bed. I usually sleep the majority of the time really, but who cares you’re home and you don’t have to get up for class!     

3.    You don’t have to shower with shoes on.

Showering at school can be a hassle and a bit of problem cause you more than likely have to share a shower (in my case, living in a sorority house, its sharing with more than 30 other girls). That means carrying a shower caddy and anything else you might need, and it definitely means shower shoes! So showering at home is always a plus cause it means clean showers, hot water, and bare feet.   

4.    FOOD 

Eating at home is better in every possible way. Firstly, it tastes better, its usually healthier, and never disappoints. Maybe it’s because mom’s food just can’t compete with dining hall food, ramen, or anything you pretend to make yourself or maybe it’s just the fact that you’re home and you’re comfortable so food tastes better. All I know is even if I got to the Chipotle at home its better to me than the one in Ithaca and my mom is simply the best cook in the world.    

5.    Time to be alone and time for quiet.

At a large university like Cornell you are always surrounded by people, even in your room it’s hard to be alone. Sometimes its nice to just be by yourself, shut up, and think, and what better setting than at home comfortably away from Ithaca and Cornell for a while.  

6.    Time to dress down or dress up 

You are home, you don’t have to go to class and most likely won’t be running into or hanging out with people who care that you are still wearing your pajamas. Or you could be attending some special event or meeting important people and need to suit up. Either way both are nice at times and when you’re home you can spend the whole day in sweatpants and no one will judge.   

7.    Shopping

Ithaca has incredibly limited shopping, as in there is one mall and two semi-decent stores, and ordering everything online can get expensive with all the shipping and handling fees. Going home is the perfect time to go shopping for an event, for fun, or for that parka we know we will all be wearing in no time.    

8.    Mom takes care of you.

The stress of school lowers your immune system and being around people all the time breeds germs and viruses in conjunction with the colder temperatures I’m surprised that most people don’t have more than just a bad cold. Regardless going home is fantastic because mom is there to take care of you, which admittedly we all need at times, kiss it and make it better.     

9.    Things to do.

Cornell and Ithaca are lively and fun, but after even two months it can get repetitive and a break always makes things look better when you come back to them, and going home is the perfect opportunity to just chill.     

10. Good time to play catch-up.

Its break and yet most of us still have work, yuck. But there is no better time to relax and be productive than when you go home. Going home is also prime for catching up on any assignments that need to be completed.   

Going home is a perfect way to spend break and when you’re ready to go back to school, usually right after break ends, you’re ready to tackle studying and partying all over again.