coming back home from college | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Summer Break

The Feeling Of Displacement Coming Back From College Is Worse Than Leaving

It's OK to have these feelings, keeping it to yourself won't do you any good.

769
lonely man at home

When we leave home for college, we have our own routines, our own way of "adulting" and we get used to living by ourselves (or with roommates). We get used to going to class, eating, studying, sleeping, and repeating. Coming home does throw that off, you may work, do chores, and take care of our duties at home.

Throughout that nine months at school, we gain our independence, but why is it so hard to readjust when we get back home?

When I was at school, I felt homesick for the first three months or so. When I came back from winter break, something felt different. I felt like I didn't belong in my own home like it wasn't mine anymore. I had missed so much, I had to keep asking questions like "how often do you feed the dogs now?" Questions that I always had the answers to. That really bothered me and I didn't know exactly what was making me feel that way so I couldn't make sense of it. I spoke to friends, family, and friends of the family who were attending college for their first year or had to leave home for military training when they were our age. They all had one thing in common:

They all felt displaced when they came home.

I quickly noticed after listening to their responses, it's normal.

Just because you have those feelings, it doesn't mean it isn't your home or that you don't belong. You just spent months living on your own in a different environment with new friends, around different people, and maybe in a different city. for those months you built your life around your classes and time with your new friends. When you come home, you don't have the same friends around and you have more free time.

It's OK to have these feelings, keeping it to yourself won't do you any good.

Talk to your parents, let them know what you're feeling. It always does more harm than good to sit quietly when you feel uncomfortable. They WILL understand. It may not be right away, but if they ever had to spend time away from home when they were young, they'll understand. I can't guarantee they will be able to help you, it takes time to get back to where you were when you left.

But it gets better, it always does.

It just takes time.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
students
Sophia Palmerine

Dear High School Friend Group,

My sweet angels, where would I be without you guys. We all grew up together because we either met in middle school or high school and watched each other grow up and get "old." We got to go to prom together and then graduate together. Then watched each other as we continued our lives in college, joining sororities and meeting people who will impact our lives forever. It all has happened so fast.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

College In Gifs

Because we are all sad Jim Halpert

766
head on desk
Wise GEEK

Oh college, we can’t live with you, but we can’t live without you. It’s a love/hate relationship, really. College is an experience that no one can ever prepare you for, and maybe that’s a good thing. You never really expect any of the things that college encompasses until you are there. College is fun, but don’t have too much fun. C’s get degrees, but they don’t get you into graduate school.

Keep Reading...Show less
Blair Waldorf

The "Gossip Girl" series may be over, but Blair Waldorf's iconic character lives in our hearts forever. Blair was the queen of the Upper East Side, and a character you either loved or hated. She taught us everything we needed to know about life, love and of course, how to score a Chuck Bass. So the next time you feel a bit lost and are in need of guidance, look no further than to the Queen B herself.

As I spend my Sunday avoiding my homework and other adult responsibilities, I realized that I've watched this series over and over about a million times. Sadly, there isn't a Blair quote I don't know, so I came up with a list of a few favorites. You know you love her...xoxo

Keep Reading...Show less
class
Odyssey

College is an endless cycle of crappy, sleepless nights, tedious, boring lectures, and hours of never-ending piles of homework.

Keep Reading...Show less
two women enjoying confetti

Summer: a time (usually) free from school work and a time to relax with your friends and family. Maybe you go on a vacation or maybe you work all summer, but the time off really does help. When you're in college you become super close with so many people it's hard to think that you won't see many of them for three months. But, then you get that text saying, "Hey, clear your schedule next weekend, I'm coming up" and you begin to flip out. Here are the emotions you go through as your best friend makes her trip to your house.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments