When people think about the concept of college, they tend to think about going away from home (for the most part), having 100 percent freedom from their parents and just really being their own person. A thought that comes to mind for many is, I am in college now and therefore I control myself; No one is out there watching me 7 days a week, 24 hours of the day.

And from my past experiences, I can say that I myself am guilty of this. I lead myself to believe that in order to "fit in" as one would say, I needed not to want to see my parents. However, I soon came to realize that isn't how I genuinely felt. Although college does allow for an immense amount of freedom and such, I noticed that it was nice once in a while to just go home, sleep in my own room and wake up to my parents saying good morning.

It's OKAY to get homesick in college. It does not mean that you are a baby, and it doesn't mean that you are any less independent than any other individual at school. In my opinion, it simply means that sometimes it's easier to go back to the home routine that you were used to. Not having to always do your own laundry, sitting down at the kitchen table for each meal instead of the cafeteria and, of course, sleeping in your own comfortable bed is something that we all desire to have in our lives on a daily basis.

And, in addition, we take for granted what we are given at home most of the time when we are off at college. Yes, as I stated before we are able to have our own little world, using ourselves as our own security for the most part, but, really, isn't it nice sometimes to have someone looking over you and wondering what you are up to? I know from personal experience that I used to get annoyed when my mother would call me and constantly ask me what I was up to, if all my work was done and if I was getting more involved on campus. However, now as I realize that each and every single day I am getting older and more responsible for my own being, I take up every moment I have to let her know what I am up to. This only made me realize that I should be more appreciative for the love and support that I have back at home.

So, overall, although college can be considered a home away from home, it is completely normal to miss the original home. Who cares what people think? Everyone is entitled to think what they want, and live the way that makes them feel the most comfortable that they possibly can. In my opinion, no one is a "baby" if they miss home. In fact, it only goes to show that they realize what they have been granted with is worth more than they had previously thought.

- Ally