As poor, malnourished college students, we know that--second to actually going home--the best part of living away from home is when your family members (or family friends, or friends’ parents) come to visit. And with Parents’ weekend season fast approaching, what better than to think about the wonderful things that come with these wonderful visitors…

1. Free food (free pretty much everything, actually)

The beauty of having your parents in town is that you have an entire weekend to go to your favorite restaurants and not spend any of your own money on the bill.

2. Good food

Second to not having to pay for your food, you also get to try that new cool restaurant you’ve been planning on going to, or that really expensive one you wouldn’t ever want to swipe for….don’t forget to order the stake.

3. Hotel stay

Goodbye Twin XL, hello Full/Queen (with extra pillows and thick, fresh duvet cover, and warm blankets, and free shampoo and conditioner, and just not being in your dorm room).

4. Sight-seeing

You can finally suggest doing that tacky duck tour your friends roll their eyes at every time you mention it, or go to the new museum exhibition…

5. Shopping

Well, you do need that 22^nd pair of socks for the upcoming winter, so ask mom or dad for it. Or that coat so that you don’t freeze…or those new shoes you’ve been wanting to get…or that scarf…and pants…and leggings…oh, and definitely that matching gym outfit from Lululemon.

6. Cash

“But mom, I have to pay like an extra three dollars to get cash out at the ATM because my school doesn’t have an ATM for our bank…” is clearly a valid excuse as to why you need a few dollars in cash every other month…

7. Groceries/Essentials

You can literally stock up for the next two months without feeling that badly for not eating half of it until you realize it’s expiring in two days…like everything else in your fridge. (And don’t forget to buy more shampoo so that you stop watering down those last three drops…)

8. Gifts from home

Because everyone in your family misses you and wants you to feel less homesick (and your aunt got you that cool sweater you’ve been wanting because you can finally wear it!) and because you ask for little things you forgot at home at least twice a week…

9. Cuddles

Just being able to hug your mom, your dad, your brother, your cousins, your aunt, your uncle, literally anyone who you miss from home without feeling like you shouldn’t be hugging so tightly…

There are so many more benefits of having the people you love and truly care about come visit you at school, but if we’re going to be honest, nothing (and I mean absolutely nothing) can compare to the feeling of being home and sleeping on your own bed with your oh so cuddly dog.