There truly is no place like home. Although each semester flies by and I'm long over my freshman year homesickness, there's something about anticipating a weekend home that makes me really excited. After being surrounded by only college students for weeks, eating (not so) nutritional food, and making up several excuses not to do laundry, it's nice to get away for a little while and go back to my hometown. These are my 10 favorite things about driving back to Morris County for a weekend!

1. Home-cooked meals

After living off of pasta and soup for two months, I'm eager to have a real meal for dinner.

2. My bed

My bed at school is comfortable enough, but it's nothing like my bed at home. There's no greater feeling than falling onto the soft mattress as soon as I walk through the door.

3. Driving through my town

Even though I'm never gone for a really long period of time, almost every time I come home, something has changed. Whether it's a new restaurant in town, a paved road, or a house for sale on my street, it's always interesting to see how things are different from the last time I was home.

4. Seeing family, friends, neighbors, the whole bit

Most of the people I see at school, I don't see at home, and vice versa, so it's nice to have some time to spend with anyone I don't see all that often anymore.

5. My go-to restaurants, stores, etc.

Although many of the same chain stores and restaurants in my hometown can also be found near my school, there are some mom-and-pop shops that can only be found in one place, and you can bet I visit those places every time I come home.

6. Spare time

I try to make a rule for myself that I won't do schoolwork at home so that I can actually enjoy myself. It's so nice to be able to spend a weekend without thinking about school or work.

7. Pantries full of snacks

I don't know if you've noticed, but this is the third time I've mentioned food because it's very, very important. I have way more snacks to choose from at home than I do in my sole cabinet at school.

8. MY DOG

This is probably the one I look forward to most, because talking to her on the phone just isn't enough. There's a place in my heart reserved for my dog that nobody will ever fill.