When we first come to college it can feel as though we are simply away at summer camp. With the lofted beds and shower shoes it’s hard to make this tiny little dorm room home for the year. However, as time goes by we all get used it and maybe even start to love our own little space. Then we finally get to go home, to our real home, for a short while and it is glorious. Sure, college is awesome, but there are certain things this place cannot replace.

When arriving home our first instinct is to hug everyone in sight. Whether we’re close or super far from home everyone misses their families in the same way. Next is the family pet. The worst thing about leaving for school is leaving the ones that love we most including our furry friends. They don’t even know where we go when we’re gone. Just simply being able to hug my mom and pet my dog are some of the best reasons to come home.

After unpacking (maybe..) the best thing to do is flop down on our bed and let it absorb our exhausted bodies. There’s no better comfort than the comfort of your own bed. The warmth, the cozy blankets, and the familiar feel of it all. I get my greatest sleep when I’m back in my big bed at home. Once we decide to get up (even though no one would ever want to do such a thing), it’s nice to go to the bathroom and not have any fear when actually sitting down on the toilet. And don’t even get me started on the two ply, oh my gosh the two ply. It may be the very number one reason for anyone to come home. The softness is something like a dream back at school in the communal bathrooms.

One of the craziest things I found when going home was how much more willing I was to run the family errands. Being able to blast the music in the car I used to drive to high school daily just feels right. Back at school it’s easy to start to miss driving. Simply getting to Walmart for supplies can become an all day ordeal if a bus is required. At home it’s so simple to go get anything we could possibly need. Another great perk of running errands is the radio stations. Those stations are yours. You’ve been listening to them since you were a kid and then one day they are no longer in broadcasting range and it is devastating. There’s something about having our favorite radio station on full blast with the windows down that puts a smile on our face.

Lastly, let’s talk about shower shoe-less showers. Is there anything better? Stepping into the shower after a full day of fun at home and feeling the cold bottom directly against our feet is bliss. Of course shower shoes aren’t the worst thing in the world (that’s one ply), but it’s nice to just not have to even worry about wearing them.

Whether you’re going home for a break or a weekend these small little everyday things are some of the main things we look forward to. There are some things that a second home at school just can’t duplicate, and these are some of them. So go on, sit on that toilet, take way too long of a nap, and blast your music as loud as you want. You’ve earned it.