Living Young, Wild, & Free? Getting Used to Being Home for the Summer

Here it is: the end of the year. Dining dollars have dwindled, classes are wrapping up, and a buzz of excitement is in the air as graduation nears. But what happens once you leave Harrisonburg? Besides hoping that you passed your finals and weren’t fined for destroying your walls with thumbtacks, going home is a huge transition.

Think about it: you’ve been away for nearly a year and as strange as it may seem, you’ve changed.  Living away at college gives you a sense of independence and freedom that is not easy to shake. Once you get home, it’s tough to readjust to living under your parents’ roof with a curfew and chores to finish. Keep these things in mind when you move back home to avoid any awkward encounters!

•  Your home is not your dorm.While moving all of your belongings back into your old room, it may feel just like your old dorm room – same posters, bedspread – all that jazz. But even if your sleeping habits have changed, chances are, your parents’ haven’t. Steer clear of making popcorn at 2 in the morning and asking your mom to watch a chick flick with you. Chances are if you do you might not get the car that week and your parents will invest in some earplugs.

• Shots, shots, shots? Asher Roth and Sam Adams have made the wildness of college famous with lyrics like, “I hate college but I love all the parties” and “Man that party last night was awfully crazy”. College is all about trying new things and having new experiences. Some of those new experiences might involve alcohol, and since they’re with your friends, usually everyone has a good time (and if not, it’s nothing Jimmy John’s can’t cure).  Once you get home for the summer, keep in mind your parents do not drink like college students and most likely won’t let you drink in the house or like you coming home under the influence. Start an open discussion with your parents about alcohol and what your drinking habits may or may not be like. Honesty is always the best policy, and hey, you might even hear some funny stories from your parents’ college days!

• Stay in touch! It can be tough being away from your new friends you’ve made at school. If you lived on campus, your roommates and hall-mates became your family over the year. Transitioning to being back at home can be tricky, especially as you get back in touch with your friends from home and those from college. If both groups of friends live close to you, you may have won some crazy cosmic lottery; if that’s not the case, use Facebook, Twitter, your phone, or any way you like keeping in touch. If you have a flexible summer schedule, embark on an age-old college tradition – the road trip. With any luck, your college friends live only a few hours drive away. You could even bring a friend from home with you to merge your two groups of friends! 

Getting used to life at home when you’re in college can be rough. There’s not normally anyone up at 3 in the morning that will make a McDonald’s run with you and your ‘roommates’ are really your parents. Remember to be honest and open with your parents – you’re an adult now! Take some of that independence and newfound wisdom you’ve gained in the past year and put it to use so your summer stay at home is relaxing and, generally, embarrassment free!