As much as I have enjoyed being home for the summer following my first year away at college, I also miss being away on my own and enjoying the college experience. Here are five things I miss about college:

1. Independence.

As much as I love being at home, I now have to let my parents know where I am going every time I leave the house. It feels like an extra responsibility that I often took for granted while away at college. In addition, I have to help them run errands and take my little brother places and pick him up because he is still not old enough to drive yet. I miss being able to go anywhere by just walking or taking an Uber or the subway. For now, I just have to adapt and drive myself anywhere I want to go.

2. Friends.

It was nice being able to see my old friends again, but I feel my strongest friendships were built during my first year of college. Summer feels more like time away from them as opposed to time with my old friends. Spending time with college friends was much easier because we practically lived with each other and saw each other every day. Hanging out with friends here at home is not as simple as it requires planning and communication. As much as I have enjoyed seeing my old friends, I look forward to seeing my college friends again and making new ones throughout the school year.

3. Being occupied.

Leisure inevitably breeds boredom. While I decided to relax this summer as opposed to working or taking classes, the time off has not always been productive. As stressful as the school year was for me last year, I look forward to always having something to do, whether it is going to class, doing homework, studying, working, or extracurricular activities. I love challenges, and I love learning, and college presents me with both opportunities.

4. Making memories.

College is the best four years of your life. It is a time when you are young but also mature enough to know that you will not be young forever. It is a time to take advantage of all the fun that college has to offer and to just live in the moment. It is a time to create memories and exciting and unforgettable stories. It is a time to do things now that you will regret not doing later. College is a time in which every moment should be enjoyed while it lasts.

5. Embarking on new adventures.

College brings with it a wide array of surprises and experiences. You never know who you might meet or what you might do on a given weekend. The spontaneity of the college experience is what makes it so thrilling and exciting. It is just waiting to surprise you with something at any moment. Perhaps the best part of college is all the people you never expected to meet, all the things you never expected to try, and all the fun you never expected to have.