Spring break to a college student is a preview for summer vacation; relaxation, sun, and fun. Some people take advantage of the week long breath of fresh air and travel to warmer climates and ocean fronts. Unfortunately, others take the chance to travel back home where they no longer have to share a bathroom with 40 other people.
What many freshman don’t take into consideration is the transition they are about to take from living on campus to living back at home. Though it doesn’t seem like an issue, many upperclassman and websites warn about the type of “culture shock” college students are about to embrace.
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One major problem with spring break is the short duration. With only nine short days, going home and relearning curfews, or putting your dishes in the dishwasher is almost impossible; just as you get back in the habit you’ll be going back to college. Maybe spring break should be longer (hint, hint, Bev).
Here’s another challenge for all of us going home rather than a hotel: some students have difficulty switching from the friend group they made in college to the friends they had in high school. It’s feels foreign to go to movies and eat at the local restaurants with a group of people who longer have anything in common.
What was once a typical Saturday night might seem too immature or boring compared to what you’ve gotten so used to away at school. “Odyssey” writer, Camille Sonny, explains the difference between high school friends and college friends by expressing, “The thing is that with high school friends, you are never the same as your friend. You bond over liking each other despite these differences.” In college, you gain the the freedom and power to choose a friend out of thousands of people and find those similar to you and your personality. You have the chance to find those like you instead of settling with those you were forced to be around based on geographical location.
Somehow, you’ll end up counting the days until you go back to Kent just like you counted down to going home.
Finally, the biggest cause of “spring personality disorder” (like split personality disorder, get it?) is learning how to live with family lingering over your shoulder again. At school, you could come back to your room late, have sleepovers on weekdays and do dishes whenever you felt like it (or they started sticking up the room). When you go back home, you’ll have to hand over your car keys by midnight and be home for dinner at 6. In college, you were your own boss; at home, you’re back to being the unpaid intern.
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These three problems make the transition back home a little harder, but this problem is so common many people have tips and advice to make it a little easier.
Psychology Today wrote an article explaining the importance of communication. Author Diane Barth explains you need to express any “mixed feelings” when going home. Remember that, just like you are transitioning, so are your friends and family and it’ll be a process for everyone to finally settle in.
Many high school friendships dissolve because friends assume that we have the same college experience as them. A way to avoid that is to celebrate the differences and let your stories from college be the filler for your conversation. Allow your differences to bring you guys closer together, not tear your friendship apart.
When it comes to your parents, be patient and hope they will be too. If you forget to fold a blanket after using it, or come home past curfew, make an effort to fix your mistake next time and accept the passive aggressive conversations with your parents about not following house rules.
Lastly, if home isn’t where the heart is, try and remember the upside. Enjoy seeing your family, beloved pets and friends. Remember to eat at all the little “mom and pop” family ran restaurants you miss at school. And the best part of spring break, lay down and relax, appreciate a week of no classes and crossing fingers that there’s still warm water for your shower.