You've been counting down the days, even hours, until break. The stress levels are at an all-time high the week before you head home because of all of the tests and projects due. They stand before you like a huge mountain that needs to be triumphed over. You begin to climb, slowly but surely, but before you know it...

WHAM!!!!!

it's over! Break is finally here! You survived!

You rush to finish packing, say goodbye and safe travels to all your friends, and you only slow down to pet the stray cat that lives outside your dorm.

Then comes traveling...

If you're driving you feel like you're in control, you have a sense of purpose and probably listen to uplifting Disney songs on the way home! "And at last I see the light, and it's like the fog has lifted" (fog is a metaphor for school if you didn't catch on😉)

Yeah, you have to deal with traffic and a couple "crazies" on the road but those who fly home have an entirely different experience. They get to deal with airport shuttles, airport ticket lines, airport security,

finding an outlet in some random corner of the airport, flight delays,

over priced food,

more delays, that one person that always seems to be staring at you, carrying your luggage around knowing that you over packed,

the middle seat on the plane, crying baby on the plane, the little kid kicking the back of your chair,

and the long wait for your bags at the next airport.

Even though so much of this is annoying and frustrating, it all melts away when you pull up to your house.For all different types of transportation, the relief happens when you open the door and smell that distinctive home smell, and are greeted by your favorite pet while you're parents holler from the living room. This has to be one of the best feelings in the world.

Before you know it, grandma comes over and complains about the school cafeteria not feeding you enough or that your teachers do not recognize you for your multiple and extensive talents. (Thanks for being my biggest cheerleader, Grandma!)

If your siblings are home they make some sarcastic comment about your presence but give you that "sibling" look which means: you know I love you but I'm your sibling so I have to tease you.

That evening you sink into your own bed, you're real bed, the bed you never wanted to leave but had too. Your body immediately relaxes and you feel that stress tension in your shoulders that's been there since the beginning of the semester slowly loosen up.

The next day you call up you hometown friends and celebrate your homecoming with a coffee or smoothie run. You plan to meet up to play your old sport with your old teammates and you're glad to see them, but you realize that you miss school. No matter how much you have planned or how busy you stay, school is still in the back of your mind.

You miss the community, always having someone to eat meals with, sticking to a schedule, and your favorite teacher's jokes.

By the time break is over, you're glad to get back in the car or back on the plane. Just sit back and get your mind ready for a few more weeks of stressful homework and a great community.

You can do this. Start counting down to your next break. Repeat.