Growing up, as the days got colder and they started playing Christmas music on the radio, we all got really excited- not just because the holidays were coming up, but also because that cherished time known as "winter break" was approaching. This meant we didn't have to go to school until *next year* and we got to go do Christmas-y activities with our family, go on vacation, hang out with friends, and not have to worry about anything until January. At a glance, one might think it's the same for college kids, but my, how things change. Here are 12 ways that winter break changes once you become a college student:

1. Winter break in college is a lot longer

This sounds like the dream, right? Well, you'd be surprised how bored you can get in three or four weeks of freezing cold weather and family bonding.

2. There is much less fun travel, and much more mandatory travel

When you were young, maybe you took a trip to a big city for Christmas, or to a nearby town to look at the lights. In college, odds are you're either driving or flying or riding back home this time of year. (Even if you live close to your college, there's always some sort of obligation keeping you on a commute.)

3. There is much more responsibility

Whether you're working, trying to find some odd jobs, or your parents are just taking advantage of having their built-in servant at home, it's not all about relaxing.

4. There is always the impending doom of next semester

It's not enough that you just finished a semester, you have to plan for next semester now. Pay for tuition, straighten out scholarships, buy your textbooks....semester after semester. Christmas isn't an exception.

5. You're enduring the stress of trying to see all your hometown friends before you go back

Between your schedule and their schedule and that one friend who you have to meet at 5:23pm exactly, it can be pretty stressful. Usually being back home feels like a two or three week lunch tour.

6. Not living in a dorm with all of your friends is actually torture

Sure, a break from the dorm life can be nice...for a little while. After that, you just miss walking down the hallway to see your friends when you were bored. Now you have to actually *go out* and like...*find* things to do.

7. Your parents drive you mad

You love them so much. And you missed them so much. But in college, you have insane amounts of independence, compared to home, where if you're not back by 11, you're going to get 4 phone calls and 13 text messages.

8. You take serious advantage of food

Home-cooked food. In your house. College students rejoice!

9. You're living out of a suitcase

Or your car if you're too lazy to bring your suitcase in...it's problematic because eventually you rummage through everything and start living off of the floor around your suitcase.

10. You hug your pets a lot

You might've spent your younger years taking advantage of having a fluffy creature that loved you, but in college? No sir. That poor (lucky) animal is going to be overwhelmed with hugs while you're home.

11. Instead of coming back from the North Pole, you're coming back from a war zone

Your last week of school pre-college consisted of Christmas crafts and movies and incorporating some sort of fun activity into your lessons. In college? Your last week of the semester is finals week. RIP every college kid.

12. You don't dread going back

It's always fun to be on break, to be at home with everyone. But contrary to years past, in college, you're kinda ready to go back to your second home.