As a college student, I've found that one of the most rewarding things about being away for such long periods of time is that I appreciate being home so much more. I understand for some, going home is not always a pleasant experience, but I've fortunately been blessed with a wonderful home life to return to. In light of some rough weeks and a much needed weekend trip home, here are a few of my favorite parts of visiting home that I'm sure some of you can relate to.

1. You get to see your immediate (and sometimes extended) family.

Who doesn't love coming home to parents ready to hug you endlessly, siblings ready to go on adventures, and extended relatives ready to smother you in questions?

2. You get to catch up with friends from high school.

If you and your friends are lucky enough to share the same breaks, try to schedule a time to get together and catch up! My friends and I always try to at least go on a breakfast date before we pack up and head our separate ways.

3. Food from home is almost always better than cafeteria food.

Let's face it - as hard as they work in the dining hall to provide us with palatable, nourishing food, nothing beats a home cooked meal, or at least a dinner out. It's free, and it beats having pizza for the fourth night in a row.

4. Sleeping in your own bed is one of the BEST feelings.

Shown above: pictorial representation of me the first morning after getting back.

5. Sleeping IN in your own bed.

Need I say more?

6. Driving through familiar territory is super comforting.

Depending on how far your college is from where you're from, you may have to use a GPS to navigate your way back and forth. One of my favorite parts of the drive home is when I hit familiar territory and can turn the GPS off.

7. The smell of your house is, oddly enough, something you missed.

This one is a little weird, but everybody's house has a smell and it's really nice to walk in your front door and be hit by it.

8. You get to make your own schedule (for the most part).

This one isn't necessarily about making plans, but not being subjected to a busy class and / or work schedule.

9. There's so much more room to spread out.

I mean, don't get me wrong - dorm rooms aren't all that bad. You have a little space of your own to come back to at the end of the day. However, it's great to come home and have a living room, a bedroom, a kitchen, etc, to spread out and enjoy the space.

10. You can visit some of your favorite places.

Just like the main characters in the iconic tv show pictured above, there are certain spots that you just have to come back to anytime you visit home. Mine happens to be a nature preserve that's absolutely beautiful in the fall. :)

11. It helps you appreciate going back to school just a little bit more.

As great as it can be, going home can also be a bit stressful sometimes. It's always nice to head back to school and see the family you've made there.