The first words that comes to mind when thinking of Winter Break can range from the mountains to homemade spaghetti to house parties, and the list only continues based on who you are and what you gravitate to for pure joy and relaxation. With this being said, however, most people can probably agree that there is a common theme to winter break that all students coming home from college go through. These words are a little most consistent, and are a commonality between most people. The first one is probably parents and the second one is probably freedom, or the lack there of. At the end of the day, nonetheless, it is a taste of complete happiness to go home for a few weeks and escape the grunge of our college lives. But, lets not let the humor in this recognizable cycle of the 11 stages of winter break go to waste.

1. The excitement when you finally get home!

2. Enjoying that first home cooked meal...and the second...and third...maybe fourth?

3. Realizing that you really need to hit the gym to keep up with all this home cooking

4. Seeing all your old friends and bringing back all those inside jokes you've had reserved for way too long

5. But then remembering that you actually hated half the people you went to high school with

6. Then pursuing to only hang out with the same 5 people for the rest of the break

7. And just when you think you're starting to adjust to being home, your parents whip out an argument about getting home too late (they do realize there are no parents in college, right?)

8. Getting over the argument with another (possibly unfortunately) home cooked meal. Maybe it's time for a sushi run...or Chipotle? Anything unhealthy will work.

9. One dinner out leads to another, and another...and now the only thing on your mind is "where did all my money go?" ... Until you remember that food outside of college towns typically costs more than $7.00, maybe time to change it up?

10. The blues start to set in as the last week of break rolls around, so it's time to check everything off your "things I want to do while I'm home" list in a span of about 4 days.

This probably includes an appointment with your dentist, doctor, chiropractor, orthodontist, hair dresser, and eye doctor. Nothing compares to procrastination, right?

11. It's time to pack to head back in school, and now the only phrase on your mind is "how many days until spring break?!"