1. Home-cooked meals
There is a reason why college food is infamous for being terrible. Eating the same food over and over again at the dining halls can get tiring, and if you make your own meals at your apartment, it’s easy to stick to the meal with the least amount of effort. Now that you are at home, you can enjoy delicious meals that a family member made for you. You’ll also have access to your family’s spice cabinet, baking essentials and appliances you cannot fit in your apartment. It’s also relaxing to be able to sit at a table and enjoy lunch without having to rush off to class or a meeting.
2. Our beds
Whether you live off or on Grounds, there is one guarantee — your bed at home is way better. It feels so good at night when I can just get in bed instead of having to climb five feet onto my lofted bed. Whether it be the extra space of a queen bed or the overall quality of your mattress, enjoy the luxury you will soon miss this fall.
3. Local restaurants
We all have that one local restaurant near us that we miss every time we go back to Charlottesville. Now that we are home, we can enjoy this amazing food while also supporting your community. Many restaurants are allowing for carry-out food that is social-distancing approved, which can help them pay their workers. Have your DoorDash driver leave food on your doorstep or have the restaurant place your carry-out order in the backseat of your car to enjoy your local cuisine.
4. Nighttime quiet
When you live in first-year housing, sleeping on the weekend can be difficult. We have all had our fair share of being woken up by loud people who don’t understand that some people are trying to sleep at 3 a.m. on a Friday. Even if you usually live in a noisy city, COVID-19 has put a stop to many noisy social gatherings that prevent sleep. So, enjoy that full night of sleep on the weekends.
5. Our extra stuff
As much as I talk about decluttering and minimalism, it is still amazing to come home to our things that were not essential enough to take to college. Personally, I love painting but cannot justify bringing canvases and paints into my already cramped space given that I can only follow Bob Ross tutorials. Whether it be your extensive collection of books or your makeup collection, enjoy not being bound by space or time and enjoy your hobbies.
6. Our hometown
I never thought that I would miss my hometown. After spending most of my time in the more rural part of town, I was itching to live on Grounds and not have to drive thirty minutes to get anywhere. Now I realize that it is the best-case scenario for social distancing, as I can think of so many parks, battlefields and walking trails that will involve no contact with people if I choose to leave the house. No matter where you live, it is nice to come home to the place you know best.
7. Television
While some people have TVs for their dorm or apartment, many must rely on their phones or laptop to binge-watch the next best episode. When I came home, I found my family had replaced our old dinosaur TV with one that could cast Netflix and other streaming services from your phone. Needless to say, I became used to not having to strain my eyes to consume entertainment. Whether you watch cable, stream content or play console games, you can now enjoy your content on a bigger screen.
8. Personal space
No matter what your college housing situation is, you have probably dealt with a lack of privacy or personal space at one point or another. Sharing one room with another person can be challenging for introverts, and having your roommate’s friends in the apartment when you just want to have some alone-time doesn’t help. While our families can be prying, it’s nice to have your own room and act as weird as you want around the house.
9. Our pets
The best part about coming home is getting to see your pets again. It’s easy to miss cuddling with your cat or walking your dog while at college. Now we have extra bonding time with our furry friends before we head back to Grounds. Best of all, our pets are what help keep us sane during social distancing.
10. Our family
After being stuck in a confined space together, even the most tight-knit families can start to get tired of each other. My family has already gotten into arguments about who ate all the Oreos and whether or not I stole my brother’s sweatpants. But after being away from home for months, I realized that I missed this quirky chaos. Being surrounded by the people who know you best can help you cope with the uncertain time we are facing. So hug those close to you and remember that this is a golden opportunity to grow closer to those who love you.
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