I'm on winter break right now and though I do miss my friends at school, there's something about being home that I love so much. Every year to get me through the tough last weeks of each semester, I just keep reminding myself that winter break is soon and I think of all of the things I look forward to each year. Home is where my friends, family, cats and old memories are and each year it is nice to escape the fast paced life of college and New York to return to my home. Here are some of the things I always look forward to the most about winter break!

1. Family

Since I go to an out-of-state school, I am separated from my family for months at a time. This is extremely tough for me as I am very close with my family. So I really look forward to seeing and spending time with them when I go home for winter break.

2. Friends

Though we text almost every day and make sure we stay in touch, there's nothing like getting to see your best friends in person. Every time I go home for winter break and I'm reunited with my friends from home, it is like we were never apart and we pick up right from where we left off, which is always amazing.

3. Cats

I have two cats and when I'm at school I miss them so much. It's always nice to get to see them again when I come home. Animals always provide me with comfort and happiness and it's definitely not fun to be deprived of that while I'm at school.

4. My bed

I have my own room at school and my bed is pretty comfortable, but there's just something about being at home in the bed I grew up in that brings me even more comfort. I always get a good night's sleep my first night back at home. There's just an all around comforting feeling about being in a more familiar place.

5. Real Food

Though I have a kitchen at school, I find myself not often having enough time to use it and make myself anything more than quick meals. So being home makes me really excited to get an actual meal in my system. Other than that, my favorite restaurants are in my hometown, so I also get to look forward to eating at those places as well.

Whether it's the food, the people, or my pets, I always look forward to coming home for winter break and getting away from school for a few weeks.