In a few days, I’ll be at Williams College, moving into my dorm and preparing for my first year of college. I’ve been spending my time equally distributed between packing and panicking. I’ve had to do so many adult like actions these past couple weeks that I’m surprised I haven’t thrown a tantrum (OK, maybe I have, but it was minor and no one saw). Seriously, this transition has been difficult. I’ve largely been dependent on my parents, siblings, and even friends for more than I’ve realized and I know that me moving away doesn’t mean I can’t rely on them, but it does mean I’ve got to start relying on myself more.

So, in honor of me trading in complaining about the Arizona heat for complaining about the Massachusetts cold, here are the 5 things I’ll miss most about living at home.

1. Free Laundry

I am a firm believer that there should be an amount in financial aid packages allotted to laundry. Why? It’s a necessity—not being able to do your laundry, quite literally, stinks.

In all seriousness, I never realized that having free laundry available 24/7 was a privilege (don’t tell my parents).

I wonder if the laundry machines, in place of quarters or swipes, will take my tears.

2. Access to my loved ones

I’m going to miss being able to walk downstairs and watch some drama-filled and confusing Eritrean movie over boon (a social coffee tradition) with my parents. Phone calls just don’t give the same warmth. I’ll miss laughing with my siblings over jokes at each others' expense. I’ll miss spontaneous hangouts with my friends that always end up with us in a parking lot somewhere, trying to figure out what to do next because we’re all indecisive messes.

3. My room

I have created many memories in my room, like clicking on the first episode of "Scandal" and then it somehow turning into night and me already being on Season Two, willing to sell my soul to become a gladiator in a suit. My room has been my safe space—a messy yet beautiful place where I’m free to be myself and blast the "Hamilton" soundtrack.

4. Home-cooked meals

I’m going to miss my mother’s cooking, particularly Eritrean cuisine. If I don’t receive care packages that make the entire mailroom smell of ethnic, I’ll be heartbroken.

5. Comfort

Home has been where I feel most comfortable. It's where I've found shelter from outside judgments and perils. There is nothing that puts me more at ease than coming home after a challenging day. The simplicity I've felt in this exchange, leaving home with the comfort that I can always return easily, will not exist for me anymore. I'll be living across the country, beginning an entire new part of my life. It’s going to be amazing and I am incredibly excited -- but a large part of these new experiences is discomfort. I will not have all that I’ve gotten used to in my 18 years to fall back on so readily anymore. I need to make new relationships, find new safe spaces, and utilize new resources. I need to find my "home" away from home. It’s going to take a lot of adjusting, but I feel prepared and I know home is just a plane ride away.