Three more days, until I will be loading up the car and along with another one of my Sigma Alpha sister we will conquer the 12 hour drive back to Coopersville, Michigan. When I first decided to go to school out of state and 600+ miles away from home, I knew what I was in for. However, when the breaks get close and I begin to grow anxious to be back home, I am reminded of the things that I left back home in order to have this opportunity to go to school away from the place I called home for 18 years. This semester has been one of the hardest on me in term of being homesick just because I missed some really big moments back home like my youngest sister’s first homecoming and my other sister’s move in and first day at college. While all these things are hard, it just makes me that much more excited for when I finally do get to go home and makes me treasure those moments even more. So, in spirit of it being just a few short days away from Thanksgiving break, I have put together a list of just some of the many things I am looking forward to doing once I get back home for the holidays and I’m sure many can relate to these no matter how far away from home you are for college.

1. Seeing your animals

I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t looking forward to seeing and cuddling with my dogs more than seeing my family. I love that look on their face and the love in their eyes when they see you for the first time in months. They are some of the hardest goodbyes and the best hellos when you return and who doesn’t love that.

2. Seeing your family, obviously

Although my family doesn’t show as much as enthusiasm toward me as my dogs do, seeing my family is for sure one of the best parts of coming home. They are always there to greet me with a hug and anxious to catch up on how school and everything is going.

3. Home cooked meals

How is it that everything your mom makes is 10 times better than when you make it even if you follow the same recipe? I know my mom is an amazing cook and every time I come home she makes a point to cook my very favorite meals for me and I swear they get better the longer my break from being home is.

4. Naps

One of the best parts of break is by far the naps and the amount you can just chill as you aren’t being stressed out by school and work. Thanksgiving break comes at just the right time when you are starting to feel stressed out and just about done with school so having a week to just sit back and recharge is what everyone needs.

5. Going to your favorite local places

Don’t get me wrong, I love the local fair that Manhattan provides, but nothing will ever beat going to your favorite local diner where you know all the staff because you grew up there. Something about everyone knowing your name and order before you even place even after being gone for months just makes you feel right at home.

6. Happs or brunch with old friends

For me personally, I have been in contact with some of my friends back home and we are already planning our night that we are going to go get happs or half priced apps at Applebees. I’m not sure what it is about late night wings that brings me right back to high school, but I love talking time during break and catching up with people who I don’t get to see all that often.

These are just some of the few things I always look forward to during breaks. However, no matter how ready I am for break, I am still just as excited to go back to college which always reinforces the fact I choose the right school. Happy Thanksgiving everyone, cherish every moment this week.

In Sisterhood,

Claire Zahm

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