One of the coolest things about going away to school is also getting to see your friends and peers head off as well. Everyone heads in their own directions to see what their future holds, and suddenly you know people all over the country. Everyday, I get to see what life is like in Alabama, California, Illinois, Michigan, and Tennessee. However, nothing beats getting to come back home after being away for so long.

Like a lot of my peers, I attend college out of state, so there aren't many opportunities to visit home. That is why getting to come back for summer break is such a big deal: I get to enjoy the comfort and reliability that comes with being back (and I am definitely talking about the food. No grocery shopping for 3 months!). Moving to another state came with it's challenges and adaptations, so it's nice to come back to some familiarity. Also, there's nothing like being able to see your family in the morning, or getting to give your dog that hug that's been four months overdue. Basically, being back in your comfort zone is great.

Even though getting to watch your friend's adventures from afar is great, there's nothing like getting to hear about it in person. So, coming home for the summer means making the most out of the next few months you have. Being able to slip back into old traditions is fun, and maybe now you can add a new spin on them, bringing something new to the table that you've learned from your time at school. If there's one thing I learned while away, it's how to make the most of any situation; I've definitely learned the value of a memory, and that it doesn't take much to make the best ones. Not only do I get to share the ones I've made with the people I love back home, but I get to create even more with them.

Maybe most importantly, there's a sense of growing up that comes with your first summer back home. You've officially spent a full school year on your own, and now you can reap the benefits of that. I've definitely learned how to be more independent and purposeful with my time. Not only have I acquired skills that will help me in the "real world", but I can now apply them as well. This comes with things like applying for summer jobs and internships. Not only do you feel more adult, but you're also forced to act like one. Despite the experience and lessons that a job can provide, above all else you learn to make money. College life is expensive, a fact that is more evident now than ever!

In a way, coming home means learning to cherish and appreciate everything you have or once had your in life. They say you don't know a good thing until it is gone, and that definitely applies to leaving home. That is why it is so important to enjoy the time you have to be back, while also putting it to good use. Surround yourself with the people you love, make some memories, and learn from life. School may be over, but the learning never stops.