1. Bagels
Let's just say there's nothing better then a Long Island bagel. All college students from Long Island who go away to school know nothing compares to a Long Island bagel. That's one thing that you cannot get anywhere else.
2. Pizza
I can't say we have the best pizza (I'll give it to New York City and Chicago), but we sure do have really good pizza. I know I can speak for myself and kids who go to school in Connecticut, but we sure do miss a good slice of Long Island pizza.
3. Mom's Home Cooked Meals
This goes for anyone, but Long Islanders definitely missed Mom's best home cooked meals. I definitely appreciated the first day I was home my mom's homemade chicken soup and her best dishes.
4. Trips into NYC
The Long Island Railroad is so convenient for Long Islanders and just a 45-minute ride into the city. It's something Long Islanders love doing especially during the holiday season. Trips to the city relieve a lot of stress and are a like a mini-vacation for Long Islanders.
5. Our Long Island "accent" not being weird to people
When I'm at school, people think us Long Islanders have funny accents, so when we are home we don't have to worry about being asked what this term means.
6. Beaches
Although it is the winter time, we are having crazy high temperatures right now, and some Long Islanders are coming home to go to the beaches to relieve the stress from finals. When summer time comes that's the hot spot for Long Island college students.
7. Two-Minute Drive Thru's
Long Island is known for their quick drive thrus, but when you leave it becomes 10x slower, so when Long Islanders come home they appreciate the fast drive thru service
8. Getting together with family
This is not just for Long Islanders but a thing everyone misses is family, a big time off around the holidays now is a time where college students catch up and see family they haven't seen since the summer time.
9. Long Island delis
In my opinion and if you were to ask any Long Islander, Long Island delis have the best sandwiches whether you're in the mood for a breakfast sandwich or something for lunch. Long Islanders can't wait to go to their favorite deli when they get home.
10. Friends
How could I forget this one -- it's the most important one. It's always good to catch up and reunite with friends from high school who go away to school and you haven't seen in a long time.