Summer vacation is coming to an end, and that means school is approaching. For students who return home for the summer, this can be a time of great sadness and joy! Leaving home has many pros and cons, but here are the five that I feel are most important.

Best

You regain your independence! Being at home, you are once again under parents roof, so what they say, goes. When returning to school, you are once again free to do whatever you please! You get to sleep as late as you want or eat whenever you want, and most importantly, you get to watch what you want to on the TV. Also, there are no siblings to annoy you or parents to nag you. Being in charge of your life is great!

Worst

You miss your pets. Every year when I return, the thing that I miss the most is being with my cat and dog. I miss cuddling and playing with them. The hardest thing is returning to your house, apartment or dorm and not having them at the door to greet them. To cope, I constantly badger my parents into sending me photos and videos of my pets in order to fill the void.

Best

You get to see your friends again! Three months separated from your closest friends can be really hard, but it makes your reunion all the better. It's especially great for those friends who live far away. Texts and phone calls can help to pass the time that you are apart, but nothing compares to seeing your best friends face to face!

Worst

Once again being fiscally responsible. Being an adult is expensive. Between paying bills and buying textbooks and groceries and everything else that comes with being a student, you have no money to enjoy yourself. It makes you wish for the good old day when your parents paid for everything.

Best

College football! There are few things more exciting than college sports, especially football. It's always exciting being in the crowd, cheering your team on and dressing up in school colors and apparel. College football games are great things to go and watch with friends and show your school spirit. They're cheap, if not free, and fun!

Worst

Homework. Nothing can make me dread returning to school more than homework. Between papers and presentations as well as the everyday readings, it never seems to end. No one looks forward to the amount of stress that comes with school and homework.

Best

Returning to extracurricular activities. The best thing in the world that being surrounded by people with the same interests as you. Colleges have clubs for everything. Being able to play the sports you love or going to a monthly club of something you're interested in is a great way to relax and de-stress!

No matter what, returning to school is always great. You get to take classes you enjoy and meet tons of new people. I know that I can't wait!