Summer is coming to a close, which means that move-in weekend is quickly approaching. For many college kids, this experience is an exciting one. For the first time, they’ll be able to have their own space and have more freedom. What they don’t realize is that they’re going to miss a whole lot from back home.

You’re going to miss your pets.

The thing I missed the most after moving away were my animals. I hadn’t gone more than a few weeks without seeing my pets, but when I moved away, I had to leave them behind too. It was pretty traumatic if I’m being honest. Whenever my college campus had animals come to school, I got pretty emotional. Like petting kittens through their cages while crying emotional. I just really missed my cats.

Your parents aren’t the ones buying the groceries.

While some kids opt for a meal plan, I did not. I had to stock up on groceries on my own. I’d become so used to having everything I needed in the pantry at home that I would constantly go to make some food for dinner and come to realize that I didn’t have a good selection of the ingredients I needed. Seriously, don’t forget to buy the spices! Tacos are not quite the same without chili powder.

You’ll miss your bed.

Surprisingly, I actually liked my bed at school, but I had a memory foam topper on it. But at first, I wasn’t used to the smaller size. I would roll over in the middle of the night and smack my face on the wall. That was no fun. College beds are not comfy without toppers, so make sure that you get one before move in day!

You’ll miss the peace and quiet.

If you’re living in the dorms, expect there to never really be quiet hours. There are almost always parties going on, or people that just prefer to ignore the existence of headphones.

You’ll miss your family.

While roommates can be pretty awesome, sometimes they just don’t understand you as well as your family understands you. Sometimes you may experience something exciting and want to tell someone about it, but no one quite gets your excitement like your family does. It’s a good thing that they’re only a phone call away.

But all in all, moving away to college is an awesome experience. For the first time you’re able to experience independence. It’s a moment in life where every day is a new adventure. Some days are scarier than others, but in the end, it’s all worth it.