Being away at college (especially in the first semester) means that I miss a lot of things: my parents, my sister, my friends, my pets. But there are some things about home that I didn't think I would miss that I actually miss a lot.
1. Having a dish washer
If you're a college student, you know the struggle of life without a dish washer. My dirty dishes have sat in the sink for days and days. At home, my mom asks me to do the dishes and I happily do them. Why? Because it's so much easier with a dish washer. I'm trying to savor it.
2. Not having to go to the grocery store every week
Even with the dining halls and meal plans, I still consume an incredible amount of food in my dorm. Why do I eat so much? I don't know. But I do know that to satisfy this habit, I've got to make weekly trips to the grocery store. At home, the food just appears in the pantry (thanks, Mom).
3. Alone time
Dorm life means there is quite literally no alone time. You always have your roommate(s). And while it's nice to have people around and get that social interaction, a girl also needs her time to herself.
4. Quiet
Another perk of dorm life means you have to live with dozens of other people on the same floor as you. College kids are loud. And if your dorm is like mine, hangouts in the hall are a norm. This means that if you have any second of quiet, you have to savor it.
5. Hugs
This is one I really caught me off guard. But first semester at college means you don't know a lot of people. Most of the people you meet your first semester at college you're not close enough to give them hugs. Every once and a while you need a really good bear hug. And at college, your options are sometimes limited.
6. Healthy food
My first semester with dining hall food meant that after first, I thought "hey, this isn't so bad!" And then the next week "Ugh, this again? Why?!" Healthy dining hall food that is edible and tastes good is basically impossible to come by. So being home means I don't have to live off burgers and grilled cheese anymore.
7. Being able to drink tap water
I'm from St. Louis, Missouri. Our water has been chosen as the Best Tasting City Water in America. So going outside of St. Louis means the water just doesn't taste as good. Filtered water is the way to go while in college because nothing will measure up to St. Louis tap water.
8. Knowing where I'm going
I generally don't know where I'm going in life. But at school in a new city, every time venturing off campus means I'm risking getting lost. At home, I can tell you where every Walmart is in a 20 mile radius. But in this new city, I've got no clue how to get to the nearest gas station.
9. My shower
Showers in college are gross and public and just overall, yuck. Shower shoes are never fun. Temperature is always freezing cold or boiling hot. And the water pressure is typically a trickle at best. My shower at home is heaven in comparison.
10. A vacuum cleaner
Being at college means that I’ve got to stay on top of my school work and keep my dorm somewhat livable. It would make my life easier if there was a vacuum cleaner at ready availability to me. But living on the 8th floor of my residence hall means I have to go all the way down to the lobby, rent out the vacuum there, truck it all the way back up to the room and when I’m done, truck it all the way back to the lobby. Most of the time this is also done in my pajamas. Sometimes pretty late in the evening. Having a vacuum ready at your disposal at any moment without having to leave the comfort of your home… is very much taken for granted.
And finally (and most importantly)
11. My bed
Nothing feels better than coming back from a hard day of classes than to flop down on my bed... Just kidding. My mattress at college is lumpy, thin and has that all too appealing plastic fluid cover on it, meaning it makes a great crinkling noise every time I so much as touch it. My bed at home is my sanctuary and undoubtedly the thing I miss the very most about home.
