About a week before Thanksgiving, I usually sit in my dorm room counting down the minutes until I get to leave for the airport. No tests on Wednesday? I’m on the plane Tuesday night. If you haven’t yet gone home for a weekend, Thanksgiving is all the sweeter. By this point, I can no longer eat another dorm meal, I am sick and tired of having to hop into my lofted bed and need a change in weather… badly.

A few days into break, however, I begin to miss certain aspects of college life. Where are you going? Who cares! Dinner at 9:30? All the better! Alcohol on Tuesday? I’m sure you can come up with a saying for that one: Tequila Tuesday!

While being home has its perks, so does being at school! Here is a listicle that pretty much sums up my mental state during Break.

1. Family & Friends

This is definitely the best part about going home. I was lucky enough to see my sister and my mom a few weeks ago, but I hadn't seen my dad or any of my home friends since August! A family dinner and then reuniting with the buddies sums up my first day back every time.

2.Pets

Probably the hardest part about being at school... sorry Mom, Dad and Sarah! At school, you get to see other people, but it's a rare occasion that you see a dog and actually get to snuggle it. The best part is just how excited they get when you walk through the front door and they recognize that you're home! Unfortunately, they have no idea how short your visit will be.

3.Weather

Now this one may not be for everyone. I go to school in Portland, Oregon and home is in Los Angeles, California. A break from the rain is always welcomed. Plus, there's nothing sweeter than leaving your rain jacket and boots back at school.

4. Thanksgiving Dinner and Family Meals

This may be my favorite part of going home. All of my cousins are either in college or already graduated. Hearing all the stories of the past few months plus all the stories from our childhoods really makes for a great night. Thanksgiving food is downright amazing, too.

5. Food

College food may not be bad, but constantly eating the same things gets boring after a while. While any food that's not dorm food tastes great, the best part is getting to go to all the restaurants your college town doesn't have. Like In N Out!

---

1. School Friends

I miss my roommate and all the other friends back up in Portland! Don't get me wrong, I miss my home friends for months at a time while I am at school but spending 24 hours a day with your roommate then not seeing her for a week is weird!

2. Freedom

When I am home, I constantly forget to tell my mom if I am planning to leave the house. It's an honest mistake, really! It is very different than being at school, when I don't have to explain my whereabouts to anyone. Random trip to Astoria? OK!

3. Independence

I've grown to love the independence I have at school. There's something about being told to do certain things that makes me not want to do it at all. Like the dishes for example. At school, I do them without thinking. At home, there's something so easy about leaving them in the sink to be washed later... so sorry Mom.

4. Social Life

Ahh... the social life. After finishing my homework and responsibilities, going over to a friend's room/house is 100% guilt free when you aren't leaving your family at home. Plus, drinking alcohol on a Wednesday is very acceptable at school and perhaps not so much back home.

5. School work

This is where I tend to stray from the majority. A few days into break I start to miss the routine I built for myself back in Portland. I even start to miss going to class and...do I dare say it...the homework!