Recommended for you

My Home Isn't One Place

Apr 04, 2016

Claire Paulsen

Throughout my life, I have come to realize that home isn't simply the house you grew up in or the house your parents live in. Home isn't where your childhood trophies are or where your sisters still live. It isn't one of the 16 houses you've lived in growing up or simply one place forever. Home is more than that. Home is where you feel comfortable and where you feel loved and safe.

Home is the house in Pennsylvania, with the dog laying in the sun and a hole in my wall from eighth grade.

Home is driving down back roads with my best friends, belting out to music like a weirdo.

Home is the pool I've worked at for five years. With the children I've watched grow up, and the scratches on the bottom from my friends seven years ago.

Home is an apartment that still has its "Happy Fall" sign up, and where you can hear your roommate laugh between the floors.

My home is a couch surrounded by my best friends, yelling because Shonda was ruining our lives, again.

Home is in a kitchen, yelling at my roommate for not washing the dishes, only to not do them myself.

Home is on a basketball court, on a field, and in a swimming pool. Home is the athletic facilities where everyone knows my name and I can do whatever I want.

Home is the library, a coffee shop, or a classroom during finals. Home is making studying fun, and enjoying college to the fullest.

Home is in the passenger seat of a car on a way to the coffee shop, laughing and singing with the windows down.

Home is a cafe in Florence, where you can get comfort food and know every waiter by name.

Home is a classroom surrounded by my sisters laughing and making fun of each other. Home is that same classroom sharing all of our secrets and creating a bond that could never break.

Home is my family, my friends, and everyone I hold dear. My home is not one place and it is not fleeting. My home is everywhere and is always with me.

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Student Life

25 Thoughts Everyone Has When Registering For Classes

May the odds be ever in your favor.

University of Nebraska Omaha

230

University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less

class registration

Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

University of Kentucky

843

pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less

senior year

Entertainment

17 Times "Friends" Accurately Described Life

You can't say that no one told you life was gonna be this way.

Western New England University

125

In the 12 years since it went off the air, "Friends" continues to be adored by millions. The show that gave generations unrealistic expectations about love (or should I say lobsters?) and New York City apartments had a charming cast of characters that everyone could relate to at some point or another. Here are 17 times Ross, Monica, Joey, Chandler, Phoebe and Rachel accurately described life.

Keep Reading...Show less

friends

Entertainment

11 Times Aubrey Plaza Described Sophomore Year

"I don't want to do things. I want to do not things."

Denison University

500

Flickr Creative Commons

Aubrey Plaza is one of my favorite humans in Hollywood. She's honest, blunt, unapologetic, and hilarious. I just started my sophomore year of college, and found that some of her best moments can accurately describe the start of the school year.