UC Merced is home to students from all over the state of California and around the world, and despite our different origins and hometowns, all Bobcats will have to face these five different people when they return home after finals for a comfortable winter break.

1. The Guy That's Always Drunk

This guy in high school might have been the shy, quiet loner--or he was the popular jock. It really doesn't matter. Alcohol doesn't discriminate, and depending on the kind of guy you knew him as in high school, 'drunk' him could either be your best friend, or the guy who blows you off and hits on your girlfriend. He could be running a fraternity or a college dropout that's still living at home, but you can always count on him to be the life of the party. Yeah, he's too loud, doesn't give you any personal space, and goes way too into detail about all the girls from your high school that he claims "wanted his D," but you can guarantee you'll never be bored when he's at a party. Because you knew him from high school he'll probably be kind enough to let you grab as much alcohol as you want, but you instead end up wondering how much alcohol it will take to drown out the sound of him screaming "I'm saucin', I'm saucin, I'm saucin', on you," all over the house.

2. The Girl That Already Has Kids

The Girl That Already Has Kids is someone from high school that you might never get used to. Even though more and more of them seem to crop up more and more every year, and even though you are the same age, you two seem to live very different lives. While you're pouring shots for your friends, she's pouring Similac for her baby. While you're up at 3AM on the phone with your friend crying over a break up, she's up at 3AM trying to sooth a crying infant. OK, well maybe it isn't terribly different, but nonetheless, hanging out with The Girl That Already Has Kids makes you reflect on how old everyone is starting to get, and you start thinking about how that could be you or your wife in just a few years. The fun innocence of college can only last so long, and The Girl That Already Has Kids begins to look more like the Ghost of Students' Future as the years go by. But underneath the lack of free time and nurturing and adulthood, you know The Girl That Already Has Kids is the same goofy girl you used to joke with at recess.

3. The Person That's Already Working Full Time

You won't get to see this person over winter break as much as your other friends, because this friend is already working full-time. You, peers, or your teachers may have mocked The Person That's Already Working Full Time for not striving to continue their education, or for dropping out of college to support themselves. But after a hectic semester with papers, finals, part-time work, clubs and organizations, a regular old 9 to 5 doesn't seem like such a bad idea. The Person That's Already Working Full Time has no lectures to go to, no homework, and rakes in a steady check every two weeks. But the grass is always greener on the other side, there's no winter break The Person That's Already Working Full Time, and they won't get to put on that cap and gown and receive that hard-earned degree, at least not right away. But you respect this person's life path, and you know that though you two are on different career paths, that doesn't stop the respect you have for the respective struggles you two have to go through.

4. The Shut-In

Amongst all of the different types of people you'll meet this winter break, the most consistent is The Shut-In. You can always count on The Shut-In to not reply to your texts for one of two reasons: 1. They're asleep in the middle of the day. 2. They're playing video games--just like in high school. Nothing has changed much for the Shut-In. They were close, so, so, close to seeing the light of day, but then Fallout 4 had to come out. Now, you figure, there's not much else you can do but leave them be, or start up your PS4, throw on a headset, and play along with them. You might lose a few hours or a month or two, but hey, outdoor socializing is over-rated anyway, right? OK, hanging with The Shut-In all winter break may not be the greatest idea, but their time is just as important as anyone else's on this list, and a few days playing video games with your old high school friends is time just as memorable as a trip out on the town. And hell, even if you don't have a Shut-In friend, Fallout 4 might turn you in to one yourself.

5. The Creep

Ahh yes, couldn't forget about The Creep. The Creep is that guy that's at least 20 years old, but can't ever seem to stay away from the girls at your old high school. The Creep never has anything better to do with his time other than walking into classrooms to say hi to teachers that never liked him or staying after school to talk to girls that barely have their learner's permits. At first it was kind of funny, and maybe you thought he wasn't serious, but when he shows you the snapchats and DM's he's been sending to your friend's sister in 11th grade, your face may or may not resemble that of Chris Hansen's in the above picture. The Creep is a gentle reminder that some people really need to leave the past behind, and that no matter how dead your dating life may be, at least you aren't this guy. To high school girls, he's mature, funny, and more handsome than the losers in high school. But you, you know how he really is, and it's your job to let those girls know that this guy is......a creep. Think about if it was your sister. Well, if you hang out with The Creep enough, it might already be.