After my first semester here at UMass Amherst, I feel qualified enough to say that it’s a pretty special place. Sure, I’m glad to be done with finals and am excited to see my family and friends back home, but I’ve gotten so used to my life here at school that I’m super sad to leave. Here are a few things we’re all going to miss during the month we’re at home…
1. No parental judgment
I’m definitely going to miss being able to come home at 4 in the morning with no repercussions, napping my Sundays away without my parents telling me to get out of bed, and eating whatever I want whenever I want to.
2. UMass Dining
Speaking of eating, I’ll definitely shed a few tears for Hamp while I’m at home. Berk, too, since Grab n’ Go and Late Night are basically my life. Oh yeah, and you can’t forget Blue Wall. Okay, it might end up being more than a few tears.
3. The Rec Center
You don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone, and that definitely applies to our absolutely fabulous Rec Center. I just know I’ll be sitting at home cursing myself for not having gone more often while I had the chance.
4. The nightlife
It has to be said. No awkward house party with your high school classmates could ever compare to what we’ve got going on at the Zoo.
5. Never having to do dishes
This is a big one. You know you’re going to walk through the front door, and within a few hours your mom will be asking you to load the dishwasher. In that moment you’ll be wishing for the smelly dish return areas at the DCs.
6. Meeting new people every day
One of the perks of going to a big school like UMass is the endless stream of strangers flowing in and out of our lives. If you’re willing to go out of your comfort zone a little, it’s possible to make new friends literally all the time here. Back in my tiny hometown, I already know everyone there is to know.
7. Living with your best friends
This is by far what I’ll miss the most about school over break. I’ve made so many amazing friends this semester, and having them so close all the time is something I’ve definitely taken for granted. It’s going to be so sad to wake up in the morning with all my friends so far away, but it’ll just make the return to UMass in January all the sweeter.