The holidays are undoubtedly an exciting time for college students! After what feels like years of nonstop work, you finally get to escape the school scene and enjoy some well deserved R&R. If lucky enough to go home, you can indulge back to your roots, finding comfort in friends, family, and food from the places that make your heart feel full. Living away from home and being independent for the first time inspires an amazing amount of personal growth and maturity; you essentially have the capability of reinventing yourself, and creating the life you want to live. Sometimes, this new found independence leads you to meeting a new special person. If you fall into the category of students who find a significant other while away from home, and wish to have your significant other share your hometown-holiday experience, there are certainly some struggles that may arise. Reconnecting with your home after being away is an exciting experience, possibly even more so when you have the opportunity to share it with someone that you care about. With all this anticipation, it can be hard to find a balance between visiting your old life while entertaining your new one. Here are some do’s and don’ts of bringing your new significant other home for the holidays!
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DO make time for your family and friends!
After being apart for so long, it completely warms the heart to have everyone back together again. But, just because you have your SO with you does not mean you should have to choose between spending time with them and spending time with your friends. Find an inclusive and relaxing activity to do all together. This way, there are opportunities for great conversation and mingling between you, all of your friends, and your significant other.
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DON’T expect automatic perfection!
THINGS CAN BE AWKWARD. Your SO might not be best friends with your best friends right off the bat. AND THAT IS OKAY. It does not mean conflict. People from your past can be, and probably will be, different from the people you choose to have in your future, which is simply the product of personal growth. As long as peace is kept, do not expect your SO or your friends to automatically be as close as you are with one or the other. Relationships form in time, and if it is important to you, try not to force it!
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DO stay occupied!
You worked hard throughout the semester, you deserve to have fun! Keep yourself and your SO occupied by doing all the activities you love to do in your area. This way, you get to enjoy as well as show off your love for your hometown. Also, do the things that you have always wanted to do, but never quite got around to. New experiences in new places make for the best memories!
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DON’T forget to put yourself in their shoes.
Coming into someone’s life and meeting all the people they care about is a lot to handle, and if they are there, it means they care about you and want to be apart of your life. Remember to be patient and understanding of how overwhelming it all can be, and take into consideration how you would feel if roles were reversed. Most importantly, relax and don’t forget to have fun!