For the first time in forever... I won't be home for Christmas. In fact, this will be the first time I celebrate Christmas without my family. When it came time to buy my plane ticket for the 2,000 mile trip home from college I realized it would be better for me to postpone my trip until January. Not only because of cheaper flights but because of the work opportunities I'd be missing. Such as holiday pay and increased hours.

So for Christmas, I'll stay in my college town with my boyfriend, saving money for a longer trip. And while the pros are immense the fact that I won't be with my family come Christmas day still leaves me having a bit of a blue Christmas.

Christmas memories are filled with days surrounded by family. Cousins ecstatically tearing open presents. And yummy, delicious food. I am so sad to be missing the opportunity to make new ones this Christmas. I just keep reminding myself it's not so much that I'm missing the memories but postponing them by a few weeks. Christmas is on December 25th but for me, I'll have several Christmas going into the new year.

When you're an out state college student it can get lonely at times. Your college friends go home during breaks and you're left alone. I'm lucky to have my boyfriend who I can spend my breaks with. But I remember before I met him and all the lonely days I spend in my dorm room. Last spring break I spent almost a week as one of a handful of students on campus and it's was awful. It's worst around the holidays though. Because the memories of your friends and family are extensive.

To all my fellow out of state college students stuck not going home this Christmas, I just want to let you know that it may feel lonely at times but by no means are you alone. Even if you get invited to a friend's, I know that empty feeling that only those back home can fill will remain. And that's OK. It's OK to be sad and to miss those back home. I and others know exactly how you feel. But whenever and wherever our Christmas celebration with family takes place, it'll still be special and full of memories.