Over the Christmas holidays, Ole Miss has a shocking 6-week break. This is nice, although slightly insane because by the third week we’ll all be struggling with our families and trying to bring our routine from college back home, which of course isn’t going to work. So here are a few things in particular that you’ll miss about college while being stuck at home.
1. (Technically) Free Food
I added the technically in there because although it is free at the time we swipe our student id, we have definitely paid for it before the semester started. But I really miss the concept of free food. Like at home, the food is 100% better and it’s home cooked and not completely processed, but when I have to go out with my friends, I have to bring money and spend it, which isn’t something any college student likes to do after finding out just how quickly money disappears for the broke college student.
2. Set Routine
This one is perhaps one that is on the fence. Don’t get me wrong, I love the fact that I am home and have absolutely nothing mandatory that I have to go to or be at, but after a while, there is literally nothing to do. I personally have a huge FOMO problem, so sitting at home for long periods of time isn’t exactly fun. About a week into our long break, I, along with most, start missing the set routine that I had developed during the fall semester. Yes, we all complain about not being able to sleep and that when Christmas break comes all we’ll do is sleep, but in all honesty, about the second week of sleeping… we’ll be missing walking across the grove to go to chemistry.
3. Friends
Friends are definitely one of the most things I miss during the break. After seeing all my family and going to church and letting everyone know I survived my first semester, I’m ready to go back and start the spring semester. However, spring semester is 6 weeks away. That realization of not seeing the bestie you did everything with for 6 weeks will hit you harder than a ton of bricks. So, make plans with your friends from home, who you’ve missed terribly since the split, however, pretty quickly you’ll find that those friends and you have grown somewhat apart.
Your friends that you’ve made in college know many more scandalous things about you than your home from friends do. Your “old” friends if I might call them, don’t understand the new you that's had to learn independence from them, just like you don’t really recognize the new them they’ve turned out to be. Nevertheless, hang with them and learn their new secrets and maybe make a Christmas trip to other states and visit your college friends for a day or two. I mean, flying alone is a life skill you'll have to learn sometime.
4. Freedom
Now, this is absolutely the biggest thing that you’ll miss over the long break. Living in college, whether dorm or apartment, has most likely changed your usual habits. When you need something, you go get it. When you make plans, you don’t really tell anyone except maybe a 30-minute warning for your roommate… if it's not already with your roommate/roommates.
Going back home, you’re going to be living or visiting in a household with more than just you. Your parents are going to want to know your every move, whether going to the bathroom, going out for food, spending the night at a friend's, and they’ll also want you to text them every time you leave to go somewhere or leave to return. For a freshman college student, as well as every other college student, this is a huge change.
You’ll be missing your complete independence and freedom probably by the second day. But in six weeks, you’ll be back at school and missing the overbearing presence of your parents.
So looking at all of the things you’re going to miss about college during the long Christmas break, it seems pretty bleak. However, seeing your family and their overbearing moments are what makes you miss them in the first place. And the long break from constantly hanging out with your main friends is going to make seeing them again so much sweeter. And about the free food, invite your friends from home to go eat at your grandparents house. It’s guaranteed amazing food and its free:) Plus, you might get bonus points for your Christmas present.
So whether you don’t miss college at all or you can’t wait to get back, I hope you all have a wondrous 6 weeks!