Finally, it's time for Fall break. After those late nights, stressful weeks, and midterms you finally get to relax for a couple days. This fall break will be the first time I have gone home this semester. I live around 6 hours by train from my house so, going home isn't a walk in the park.

Here are a few things that I have realized by going home for the first time...

1. You discover who your true friends are back home

When you come home and try to reconnect with your old friends, you soon see who really cares. Sometimes old friends just make new friends and ditch you. Sometimes your friends really missed you (usually this is the case) and want to spend every second with you. Regardless, now your friendships back home are bound to be different. There are different factors to your friendships. You also have all your new friends back at school that you may be missing. Sometimes it's easy to forget your friends back home when you are away. This break may be a time to try and catch up, keep that in mind when you just can't shut up about all the cool new thing you have been doing. Remember that your friends have cool things going on in their lives too.

2. Your realize your family's dynamic is different without you

Without you at home, your family changes. They learn to survive and function without you. No, they are not trying to replace you and they have not forgotten you exist. Simply, they are just learning to adjust. It may seem as though they do not need you anymore but, they do. Your little sister or brother still need you. Your mom still needs her baby. It's so hard for your family when you are gone and I'm sure they miss you more than they lead on. You also have to realize that you now have this new independence without anyone telling you what to do or think. It is going to be different interacting with your parents, now that you have gained more independence. Just remember that they still know you as reliant on them for things. While you are at home respect them and their authority.

3. You find out how you really feel about living at school

Coming home can either be the best thing ever or the worst. You can realize that you love home more than school and never want to go back to school. Well, I totally understand this, I love being at home and it is hard going back to school. I also realized that though I love home, I love my school too. They are different in their own ways. You can also realize why you moved away to school in the first place. Home may not be a good place for you. Sometimes being away can be better for your family relationships and better for your own growth.

Going home is interesting no doubt. It can be such a wonderful time to reconnect and rest. I also understand that for some it can be a time to realize how life has changed. Whatever you discover, know that you can grow from it.