By the time high school graduation rolled around, I thought I was more than ready to leave for college. The same old routine of home had me itching to move out and move on; I was ready to leave my childhood behind. Little did I know, however, that there would be so much about home I was going to miss. If you find yourself back at home for the summer, check out this list to remind yourself why living at home actually rocks.
Home-cooked meals
There are not many things in life that are better than a family dinner and a home-cooked meal. For many of us, college food is sub-par at best, and you can only eat so many bowls of cereal when the pickings are slim. At home, you can forget those futile attempts when you thought it would be “fun” to cook dinner for all your roommates and finally enjoy a meal that is prepared to perfection. And a few added bonuses of living at home: food-filled cupboards and a stocked fridge…not having to worry about who bought what and who ate the last Chocotaco.
Privacy
How nice it feels to take a shower without flip-flops on! Moving back home means regaining all, or most, of your privacy. Being able to get ready in your own room and spend as long as you want lounging in your towel is a lot more relaxing than fighting off four other females for a chance at the shower. It’s a relief not to have to worry if your second nap of the day is more than annoying to your roommate, or if watching the last thirty minutes of the E! True Hollywood Story on Victoria Beckham is going to keep her up. And I’m sure your bed at home feels a whole lot better than that “extra long” twin you’ve been sleeping on all year.
Access to a car
Another great thing about leaving school is that, for some of us, it means access to a car. Sure it’s nice to get outside and walk around, but how many times have you had to bug your friends to borrow their car to run to Walgreens or to drop something off at the dry cleaners? Many people don’t have the luxury of having a car at school. Plus, having a car at home gives you easy access to a designated driver. Brothers and sisters make the best chauffeurs.
Laundry
One fantastic thing about being home is finally having some help with your laundry! Remember those awful Sunday afternoons you devoted to washing the dirty clothes you accumulated the past three weeks? If I was a betting woman, I’d be willing to say that most of you don’t enjoy lugging that fifty-pound bag of clothes three flights of stairs to the basement. Lucky for us, laundry at school and laundry at home are two completely different worlds. Access to a machine that has about a three-day waiting list at school: $2.25/load. Access to a mother that is willing to wash all of your whites for you: absolutely priceless.
Your Friends
School and home are two very different concepts and sometimes it can feel like you’re living two different lives. You’ve got your school life, and your home life, but if you’re like me, having your high school friends to come home to makes leaving school that much easier. It’s a comfort to know that the people who knew you when you were a sassy 13-year-old sporting a choker and an Abercrombie denim miniskirt are still there for you, and love you just the same.
Your Pets
Speaking of unconditional love, let’s not forget our furrier friends. Is it just me or is there a lack of domesticated animals on campus? There’s something to be said about coming home to your favorite pet. At least you know that when you come home for the summer your pet won’t be yelling at you to unpack your college stuff.
Keep in mind all those things you have missed about home, and don’t take them for granted because before you know it you’ll be back at school! What do you miss most about home while at school? Leave a comment!