The first time returning home from college is a shockingly enlightening experience. Here are a few of the things I learned when I went home for the first time.
1. High school drama is even stupider now than it was when you were actually in high school.
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This September, I happened to have a four-day weekend during which my high school's football team had their first game of the season. I went to see the dance team perform for the first time during half time--I was a member during high school, so naturally I wanted to cheer on my team as a proud alumnus. After the performance (which was awesome, of course), I caught up with some of my younger friends from the team. They asked me about my college experience so far, and then I of course asked them how school was going for them. But instead of hearing stories about how their classes were going, how they were liking their teachers, how practices and team bonding were progressing, and (for the seniors) where they were thinking of applying to college, I got an earful about all the latest drama. Like the one about the two girls who hate each other with a burning passion...because they both dated the same guy. [Insert eye-rolls here.] Although similar drama occurs pretty much at any age, after high school, the desire to engage in gossip begins to lessen. Sure, two girls hate each other because they both dated the same guy, but the difference about that in college is that nobody really cares. I went along with the fascination, and eventually changed the subject to more universally interesting topics. This event served as a nice reminder to myself that yes, you are indeed mature enough for college.
2. Triple-ply toilet paper is a blessing and should never be taken for granted.
To the tune of Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline": SWEEEEET CHARMIN ULTRA SOFT. BUM BUM BUM (pun very much intended) TUSHIES NEVER FELT SO GOOOOOD. No but seriously. At first when you get to college you don't think the toilet paper is all that bad. You think, "All right, I can live with this." But then you come home to the glory that is 3-Ply Charmin Ultra Soft. Or for that matter any toilet paper that isn't of the generic public bathroom breed. It's wonderful. Until you think of the crippling withdrawal your butt will have to endure once you go back. [Cries.]
3. Showering without shoes on is awesome...but it's also kinda weird.
I could not wait to take my first shower without shoes on. In fact, that was probably the thing I was most excited for going home. Showering sans shower shoes is great and very freeing...but when you really think about it, it's suddenly kind of strange. The feeling of the floor against your bare feet is foreign; you start to wonder if maybe you're always supposed to wear shoes in the shower, and then you've hurtled deep into philosophical thought about the purpose of shoes, and suddenly you've wasted 20 minutes in there doing absolutely nothing. No shame.
4. Your mom's cooking is even better than you remembered.
Now, don't get me wrong; I have nothing against my school's dining hall food. Really. In fact, I think it's quite good, and I love how there's a ton of variety and it's really easy to eat healthily. But there's just something about your favorite meal that your parents prepare that reminds you of how great you had it back home. The extra love and attention that goes into your parents' preparation simply cannot be replicated in the dining halls. A good lesson in thankfulness!
And finally...
5. You realize that you were DEFINITELY right in going away.
Some people have doubts about whether going away to college (as opposed to staying close to home) is really for them. I personally didn't; I always knew that I wanted to go away for school. And by the end of that four-day weekend, I was so ready to go back! While I love my parents with all my heart, being home made me truly appreciate how great it is to be away and "on my own." I didn't realize how amazing the freedom is to live completely on my own terms! During my first few days at school, I wondered if I was really cut out for the whole "adult" thing. At the time it seemed like an overwhelming surge of responsibility that I wasn't positive I was ready for. But going home absolutely confirmed that not only was I qualified to be on my own, I was also thriving on my own--and that is perhaps the best lesson I learned from my first trip home.
