Home. Simply hearing the word brings floods of memories full of love and laughter but for college students the definition of home can have a blurry meaning. Home no longer has to be the city you grew up in, it can be the dorm you made your own.

Home is a place where you don’t have to put on an act. If you’re lucky enough to have roommates you are completely comfortable with, they become your family. Going back to your room after a long day can be equivalent to a therapy session. It’s a space where you can turn off your filter and voice all the complaints and hardships you endured during the day. Where you can finally be yourself. And that’s what a home is, right?

Home is a place full of people you love. When you live with other people you truly get to know them. In their best and their worst, when they’re hangry in the mornings and when they’ve had the best day of their lives. You become comfortable telling them everything about your life while laying in bed together and know they won’t judge you no matter what you say. And that’s what a home is, right?

Home is your safe haven after a long day. When you get back to your dorm you can finally take off your pants and wear your comfiest clothes. Not worrying about what others think of you. You can lay around in total relaxation and let the worries of the world disappear for even a minute. And that’s what a home is, right?

Home is a place where you look around and normal objects are filled with memories. A couch becomes midnight conversations and endless episodes of Netflix. A table becomes late night shared tacos and milkshakes. A TV becomes hours of wasted time, but time wasted together. A bathroom mirror becomes hundreds of mirror selfies and hours of getting ready. A bed becomes endless laughter and shared secrets. And that’s what a home is, right?

Home is a constant in a world where everything always changes. After a crazy day filled with tests and presentations simply coming back to your room can lessen the stress. Crawling into the same bed and pulling your worn yet soft blanket around you, you can almost forget the trials of the day. Sitting in your favorite spot on the couch and totally relaxing, just like the weeks before, can be a huge comfort. Trudging into the same shower every morning can serve as a place to start the day off fresh no matter what obstacles may await you. And that’s what a home is, right?

Home is more of a feeling rather than a building and when you’re in college it’s totally acceptable to have two homes. Because I know I do.