When you're home, you can't wait to move away. But when you finally get away and you're hours from home, all you want to do is go back. I never truly appreciated everything I had while I was home, and now that I'm 7 hours away, I'm grateful for everything I ever took advantage of. Here's a list of the things I miss most, and I'm sure every other college student can relate too!

1. Home cooked meals

Chances are, 80% of the meals you eat are going to be from the school cafeteria. They serve the same meals week after week, so you've adapted to the food and don't even realize that it doesn't taste that great. So when you get to go home for break, there's nothing quite like a home cooked meal.

2. Not having to do laundry

Trying to do your laundry on campus is a living nightmare. There's not nearly enough machines for the students, so you're lucky if you can find an open washer and dryer. And if you think for one second that you can leave your laundry in the machine once it's done, you're wrong. Other people will throw your clothes out and leave them until you get there. You have to be on top of your game at all times.

3. Your own shower

I can not stress enough how important it is to appreciate your own shower while you have it. When you get to college, you have to wear shower shoes because you share a bathroom with 30 other girls on your hall. The water pressure is awful, shaving is impossible, and you're lucky if you have the chance to take a hot shower.

4. Your job

Money seems to disappear easily in college, and with your busy schedule, finding a job isn't really an option. You'll definitely appreciate your job more when you're away because that's the place that provided money for you to survive.

5. Your own room/bed

When you get to college, everything shrinks; your bed, your room, your closet. You now have to share your room with another person, which makes having privacy a lot harder. You'll miss having your own room, and especially your own bed since your new one at school is basically cement.

6. Your dog

Your dog is your best friend. He was there for you for your good days and your bad days, and loved you no matter what. If you see a dog on campus, it's probably the highlight of your week. Make sure your dog knows how much you love them when you go home.

7. Your friends

Even though you'll make new friends at school, they could never replace the ones from back home. They're the ones that were with you from the beginning and will always be there for you no matter how far apart you are. When you're finally reunited, it's a big deal that deserves a huge celebration.

8. Your parents

Even though they can get on our nerves easier than anyone else, your parents are your rock in college. They're the people you call at 1 a.m. when you're having a breakdown over school, have questions about your car, or just need advice about life. You always can't wait to get away from them because you'll be on your own with no rules, but in reality, you'll probably beg them to come and visit you because you miss them so much.

College is some of the best years of your life, and you should enjoy every moment you're given. Enjoy being away from home and experience life as a real adult, but never forget where you came from and who got you there. Be grateful for everything you have and never take anything for granted.