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the cousins beach house in the summer i turned pretty season 2
the cousins beach house in the summer i turned pretty season 2
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CU Boulder | Life > Experiences

Home for the Holidays

Keeley Haynes Student Contributor, University of Colorado - Boulder
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at CU Boulder chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

As the CU student body returns to campus, feelings of melancholy are prominent. Stress levels are now ramping up with the start of classes, meaning the freedom of winter break is being reminisced about. It’s safe to say that everyone would exchange sitting in an excruciating 8 a.m for cuddling with their dogs or visiting their favorite local coffee shops at home; however, being back at school may not be such a bad thing for some students. It may even be a relief. 

Growing up, my father and I always shared a tumultuous relationship. Weeks would pass without us sharing a word. Silence suffocated my household, meaning the only time I felt truly myself was in the classroom. Being an only child, school granted me the opportunity to finally be around people my age. I was able to express myself creatively, receive praise for my hard work and achievements, and create semi-concerning attachments to my teachers. School gave me everything my home lacked. 

laying on floor using laptop with friend
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels

College has been no different; in fact, it’s been even better. While only a half hour away from my hometown, being separated from my dad has granted me the opportunity to define myself apart from my relationship with him. I have a newfound sense of independence. I’m able to go wherever, whenever. I decide what I have for dinner and what classes I take. I no longer need to ask for permission or abide by someone else’s rules and I love it. 

This, unfortunately, makes it extremely difficult for me to return home for the holidays. The second I step back into my childhood home, I’m stripped of that independence. I immediately revert back to my angry sixteen-year-old self who hates everyone and everything – especially my father. Having grown astronomically in the past six months, this frustrates me. I’ll come home from work and see my dad has moved everything in my room and begin laughing at myself for crying over something as little as that. I’ll catch myself giving unnecessary attitude to him and question how old I am acting. I feel like I lose the maturity I’ve gained and am in a perpetual state of hormones. 

woman in bed under covers
Photo by Tirachard Kumtanom from Stocksnap

My dramaticness diminishes as soon as I’m in Boulder, though. This makes me believe the old saying is true: distance really does make the heart grow fonder. While I love my dad, I can’t be around him all the time. I surely can’t live with him – even if it is only for a month. I cherish getting a break from the never-ending stream of assignments and reuniting with my hometown friends, but being back at CU just feels healthier. I’m able to freely go about my life without my dad’s ever-present eye on me. I’m finally able to live. 

Keeley Haynes

CU Boulder '27

Keeley Haynes serves as the Outreach Director for CU Boulder's Her Campus chapter. She coordinates the club’s social events, local partnerships and profile opportunities. She also acts as a staff writer, sharing her thoughts on all things media, politics and food. This is Keeley’s third year in Her Campus.

At CU, Keeley is a junior majoring in Journalism and minoring in Writing and Public Engagement, English Literature and Business. She currently works as an editor for CMDI’s student publication, The Bold, and as a content writer for CU’s alumni magazine, The Coloradan. She aspires to become a foreign correspondent someday.

Outside of the writing room, you will find Keeley walking, reading an Anthony Bourdain book, reclining in a movie theatre seat or working at Kalita Grill, the best Greek restaurant in Boulder (albeit she may be biased). Her favorite and most expensive hobby is attending concerts. The best show she’s attended is Charli xcx and Troye Sivan’s Sweat Tour. When she is not dancing to Charli, she is crying to Phoebe Bridgers, laughing at The 1975’s lyrics or embarrassingly trying to rap along with Kendrick Lamar.