I have posted about this a couple times before, but now that I am officially home for the summer, I can further reflect:
I can’t help feeling dejected now that I am home for summer. As I was saying goodbye to my friends, I couldn’t help but cry. I love home, but my college town has become such a great place for me both academically and socially. I never thought I’d get attached because I am such a homebody, but I did, and it’s hard readjusting.
I have a summer job lined up, so I will have something to occupy my time, but I can’t help but feel sad knowing that I won’t see my friends for three months, and some I won’t see next year because they graduated. We made plans to stay in touch and even visit each other, but I still feel cruddy.
I know that most of you are thinking to just suck it up and move on, and I really want to do that, but I just feel so sullen and gloomy. Will these feelings start to go away after being home for a little while, or could I potentially feel this way all summer? I keep telling myself that I have a year and a half to make many more great memories, but there is still that “I had a great year” thought in the back of my mind that I cannot shake.
I can relate to that. I loved the town my alma mater was in, and dreaded coming home for the summer. Working helped keep my mind off my misery, and keeping up with my school friends by phone helped too. The summer between junior and senior year, I found a job on campus and stayed in the college town. Maybe you can do something like that next year.
Not going to say suck it up and move on. Am going to say that these are feelings that come with separating from your family and moving on to the relationships in your life that you choose and are yours. Also these feelings come with the fact that you are finding your own place in the world. It is absolutely wonderful that you love the new life that you are forging. It is also important to realize that college is a transient and temporary existence. People you enjoy will continue to come and go from your life as will you from theirs. That just plain hurts, but don’t give up these relationships just because you don’t want to feel what you feel now.
You feel what you feel, and that’s okay. Growing up is a process that is sometimes painful. You are no longer satisfied with living at home and working. Like most college students though, you probably do need the money and have to tough it out this year. But as @wustl93 said above, maybe next year you figure out how to stay in your college town for the summer and work or go off to an internship somewhere with other like minded people your age.
Thanks for the help, everyone. @NorthernMom61, I always appreciate your advice.
My friends and I have been keeping in contact, and a simple text seems to relieve some of the sadness I have been feeling. I noticed that each day the feeling of nostalgia is lessening.
I am appreciating my time at home and the fact that I can sleep well at night. Sleeping was hard at school, simply because my friends and I always hung out. I am looking forward to making trips to school this summer and reconnecting with some of them.
I hated coming home for the summer, and I went to school IN my hometown! I think everyone feels this way at one point or another, so try to relax a bit, stay busy just like you’re doing, and before you know it, it’ll be time to go back to school.
It is very important to occupy yourself with something. For example, to find a job, then you will be less likely to attend to thoughts that make you sad.
I think it is normal to grieve a great year. Give it a little time. Are you getting any exercise? That should help. Also sometimes planning something helps. If you have something to look forward too that involves a bit of organizing it will keep your mind occupied.
I live in my same county for college and only went home the first summer. I got a job on campus and that became my new home. I could have been hundreds of miles away. This is what is supposed to happen as you grow and become a independent adult. Be sure to spend time with your family this summer and appreciate this time, because it also goes by very quickly. I remember looking and thinking, years later, when did my parents get old?
Thanks for the help, everyone! I found that as each day passes, my feeling of nostalgia is lessening. I still deeply miss my friends, but it’s getting better with each day. I start work this coming week, so that will take my mind off the nostalgia. I’m in a better headspace than I was a week ago.
Also, my friends and I made some summer plans, so I have those plans to anticipate. As of now, I’m just trying to enjoy my time off from classes. I don’t want to wish this time away.
My daughter feels the same way. As we were moving her out of her dorm room a few days ago, her future roommate came in and said, “108 days!!” D was horrified that it would be that long before she was back at school. I told her it will go quicker than she thinks. I’m just happy that she likes her school so much.
This is what is supposed to happen as you grow and become a independent adult. Be sure to spend time with your family this summer and appreciate this time, because it also goes by very quickly. I remember looking and thinking, years later, when did my parents get old?