College life can be jarring to get into. It’s a lot to get acquainted with in just a few months. You are most likely dorming, which in and of itself is a lot to deal with, but knowing that you are only 30 to 40 minutes away can be a nice security blanket. If you’re anything like me, you have leaned on that security blanket HARD in the first few weeks of school. Sure, you stayed the first weekend on campus, but you plan to go back every two weeks. Then you came back one weekend because it was your two weeks, then the next weekend because it was a long weekend, then the next because you had a family event. Then the next thing you know you have spent about a month being mainly at home. Here are some reasons why you should rethink going home every other weekend:
- You won’t truly get accustomed to dorm life.
This isn’t a surprise. If you are constantly back at home and you’re not at the dorm, you are not going to get used to being on campus. Get some books, set up your TV and get into a good show, go out with some friends, or get into a hobby. Do something to make sure you are occupied to keep your mind off of home.
2. You paid for the room, USE IT.
College is disgustingly expensive, so much so that it’s unethical. So you’re telling me that you spent all that money to not be in that room? Sure, it may not be the Hilton Hotels, but with that price tag? You better act like it is.
3. Staying on campus makes the weekends you do go home more special.
Listen, I love my family a lot. I thank them everyday for making me into the woman that I am today. That being said, if I come home every weekend, it’s like I never left. I love being the main character so that means I love the attention I get when I come home for the weekend. Clean laundry, homemade food, and grocery shopping catered to me. After a long two weeks of feeling drained and exhausted, coming home to be comforted is the best feeling. If you go home every weekend for that, it takes away a bit of the specialness.
4. Gas prices & traffic…
You better give extra appreciation to the people that are driving to go get you to bring you home. The way gas prices are right now and all the traffic that’s happening on the highways lately? Seriously, one of my loved ones sat in traffic for an hour and forty minutes to come get me. Now that’s true love.
5. Doing homework at home is not it.
I may have a bit of bias since I have a single dorm, but I get so much work done in the dwellings of my dorm. It’s silent, clean, organized, and stress-free. I am free to blast my eardrums with music and tune out the world while I get my work done on my desk. At home? Sure, I have my desk, but I took the majority of my school supplies to my dorm. So whatever I pack in my backpack for the weekend is what I have. Then I try to rush through my homework throughout the week so I can enjoy my weekend with my friends and family and it’s just really stressful. Being on campus and not rushing through your homework since you know you’re not going anywhere for the weekend is living lavishly.
6. Isn’t this the freedom that you wanted?
Now I may not know everyone personally that reads this, but I know once during the summer you were wishing to be left alone at your dorm and you were counting down the days till move-in day. Now that you are at school you now want to go back home every weekend? Come on now.
College can be scary and confusing, believe me I know. And home is home. Nothing can beat those times at home with your friends and family. But take this advice to make sure that you are maximizing the time at your campus. After all, you’re only in college for four years, so make sure to make the most of it.