When I was in quarantine in my hometown, all I wanted to do was leave. I wanted to move out, be free and become an independent adult (whatever that meant). However, four months into living on my own, in the mid of midterm season and a busy schedule, I found myself yearning for the one thing I thought I would be happy to leave. 

I missed being home. 

Although homesickness is not entirely new to many of us, and missing family or friends from the hometown is pretty common, I would not describe the feeling I had as homesickness. I would describe it as the desire to take a breath of fresh air in a place I felt comfortable. So, in the mid of midterm season and in the middle of a busy schedule, I packed my bags and made the six-hour drive all the way home to my city in the Central Valley. And honestly, I don’t regret it in the slightest. 

Even though it was brief and I lost more hours of sleep than I gained, I drove home on Sunday morning at 6 a.m. feeling quite refreshed. The 36 hours I spent at home were short and filled with lots of food and laughter, but most importantly, they were filled with a mental break I so desperately needed. 

College has been the most interesting and fun months of my life, but with a combination of school, work and lots of procrastination, it’s easy to get caught up in the speed of it without realizing the toll it’s taking on your body and mind. Going home is sometimes a necessary trip — especially now that school is speeding up — although I never really treated it as one. 

When thinking about going home, I often put school or extracurriculars first. I told myself I was too busy, or I had work. However, in reality, taking a trip home helped me be more productive. Surrounding myself with people I trust and love and being in a familiar place are comforting and rejuvenate me in a way sleep never could. 

So, for all the students who are feeling the lull of the semester or are feeling a bit lonely now that the weather is getting colder, I advise you take the time to go home, or somewhere that reminds you of it, and take a few days for yourself. Your body, mind and soul will thank you.