For those of you who don't know, I am a sophomore. That means that I have survived the transition from home to college with minimal issues. However as many people can attest, the transition to college isn't always easy. When you go off to college, you leave behind your family, your friends, your support system, and the familiar. But nevertheless, there is a stigma among college students about missing home.
Apparently leaving behind everything and everyone that you love is supposed to be easy.
Let me assure you that if you do miss home there is nothing wrong with you. Here are a few reasons why it is perfectly okay to miss home:
1. People don't know you here.
It is really easy especially as a freshman to think that you have no one at your new school. Please take comfort in the fact that everyone is feeling the exact same way that you do. Take the opportunity to latch on to a perfect stranger. Who knows? You might get lucky and room with them sophomore year.
2. You are still learning how to "adult".
Let's face it, even if your mom/dad didn't do anything for you, it was nice having her in the other room for hints on how to do laundry, mend a shirt etc. Now it's just up to you and Google.
3. You're separated from your best friend.
Your friends from back in the day are still your friends, but when you never get to see them your relationships start to drift apart. It's an unfortunate fact of life.
4. You used to be the coolest/smartest person in your high school. Now you're a number.
Don't live in the past and worship who you were in high school, but use the fact that you were amazing there to be amazing in college. Don't be peaked in high school Rob Lowe.
5. There are always things going on.
There are so many things going on at your school at all times. It is hard to prioritize and choose what you love the most. Its ok to look back fondly at afternoons spent watching Netflix with your dog.
6. You no longer have your own space.
If you live on campus, all space is essentially public space. There is nothing wrong with looking forward to the next opportunity for you to sleep in your own bed.
7. You have too much free time.
You probably have realized by now that, unless you work or play a sport, you have a lot of free time on campus. It is more than acceptable to look back with fondness at the structured days at home.
8. You don't have enough free time.
At the same time, you probably didn't use your free time well and now have to catch up on a ton of work. There are days when you don't have time to eat and you cant help but wonder if life will ever stop being busy.
9. You are sick of the cafe food.
No matter how great the food is at your school, you will be sick of it by midterms. The monotony and lack of love in it all really take a tole on you after a while.
10. You need a hug from your parents/siblings.
Even though family sometimes drives you crazy, it is normal to want a hug from family members.
11. You want to see your dog/cat/iguana.
Is it bad that I miss my fur baby as much as my friends and family? I didn't think so.
Remember:
If you miss home it is because you are lucky enough to have a home to look back to. Let that help you through the hard parts of the semester when all you want to do is go home.
