As a college freshman, many changes occur rather quickly in yourlife. Between the frantic last minute gathering of scholarships andstudent loans for the fall semester, the learning of the UniversityLingo (i.e. what the hell a credit hour means/how much it costs), andthe long and freakishly boring orientation they convince you is 100%relevant when you really know the only important thing you drew fromthat sh*t of an experience was learning the aforementioned, it allseems like a blur. 

    Then there are your parents, who are eitherhaving a difficult and emotional time "letting you go" or they areseemingly kicking your ass out, thrilled at the prospect of having ahouse to themselves to do God knows what (though God probably doesn'twant to know). You start to think about the things that youshould miss about home when you leave the nest, and then you realize what you actually will miss.



Here are five things you probably should, but actually miss about leaving home:



1. Should miss: Your mother.

Actually miss: The free cleaning service/chef/caretaker who knew how to make a grilled cheese sandwich that you just cannot recreate on your own even when you use the same ingredients and fix it thesameway. This woman brought you Pepto Bismol when you were sprawled out onthe couch with an upset tummy and sympathized with your overdramaticillness with a soft back rub. She washed and folded your clothes foryears. And even cleaned up your puke when you got sick in the middle ofthe night. Who's going to clean up your puke now?



2. Should miss: Your father.

Actually miss:The ATM. The pushover who couldn't stand to see you penniless. The manwho said ?yes' when the other one said ?no'. The coach who supportedyou in your athletic endeavors and tended to shy away from "personal"conversations. As a pubescent boy, he encouraged you to set your eyeson the prize (a.k.a. sex) and presented you with your first love glove,and as a pubescent girl, encouraged you to keep your innocence until heis dead, wielding his proverbial shot gun anytime a horny, teenage malecame snooping around the house, asking for his precious angel. Atemporary replacement of this support system can usually be found in asignificant other or a "bro".



3. Should miss: The family pet.

Actually miss:The funny little human who was the only one who would listen to yourproblems and understand what you were going through when your teenageangst kicked in. This furry pal knew how lame it was when pop wouldn'tlet you go to the movies because your biology grade was less thansatisfactory. You would probably take them with you, but you are eitherdorming it up your freshman year, or aren't sure how your roommatesfeel about animals/aren't willing to pay the $200 pet deposit.



4. Should miss: The older and/or younger sibling.

Actually miss:With the elder, who is most likely one to three years experienced withcollege already, the slow growing relationship from annoying littlesibling to somewhat friend. You believed the relationship was about toblossom into one where they would mind less about contributing to thedelinquency of a minor (i.e. buying you and your friends a 24 pack ofNatty Light). Alas, you will most likely see even less of your siblingand now must resort to finding and befriending those who are of age.With the younger, you will miss the scape goat whom you blamed fornumerous events: the mess left in the kitchen, the reason you turnedout the way you did (because they received more attention than you fromyour parents in your youth, that spoiled, little brat) and theoccasional, unexpected spouts of flatulation. As a freshman, the tableshave turned and you have no precedence until you have completed atleast a year of college. Sorry, bub.



5. Should miss: Your room.

Actually miss:Your sanctuary. If a stranger walked into your room, they wouldprobably be able to figure out your favorite color, favorite movie,favorite band, what gaming system you prefer, and your attitude towardorganization. This is the place you've gotten bitched out monthly,weekly, or possibly daily, about how unlivable the conditions you areresiding in are. This is the spot where you made some memories orwished you could make some memories. It defines you. Like most collegefreshman, you are probably going to reside in a dorm which you willshare with a stranger, complete with drab white walls, possiblyconcrete block, and a bed much smaller than you are used to. The onlyreal expression of your personality will be the posters which you hangon your side of the room. It will be strange and it will be awkward inthe beginning, but with luck you will form lifelong a friendship(unless your roommate is a douche).



Yes, you will no doubt missthese things when you leave your home to live out your adult life. Butwhen you think about it, leaving the people and things you've caredmost about during your life only makes the feeling of pulling into thedriveway of your house when you come home for the holidays, knowingthat everything you missed is waiting for you, that much more endearing.



Mom better have a grilled cheese ready for me or I will freak