After a long year of lectures, late-night study sessions and too many dining hall meals, I’m finally back home from Penn State — and wow, it’s nice to eat something that didn’t come from a buffet line. And let’s talk about Amazon orders. Remember when you’d forget what you bought by the time it finally arrived on campus? Now they’re at my door in 48 hours, right on schedule, like they missed me too.
As much as I loved the buzz of campus life, there’s something uniquely comforting about being back in my own bed, with my own space and my own family just down the hall instead of hours away. After a stressful academic year, this slower pace is exactly what I needed.
Before fully settling into summer at home, I had a whirlwind transition. I spent a single week between finals and a three-week study abroad trip to Florence, Italy. Talk about zero time to exhale. But it ended up being one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had.
I completed my general arts credit through an apparel design course at Florence University of the Arts. It was a beautiful blend of creativity, culture and exploration. From sketching garments inspired by Renaissance art to walking past centuries-old monuments on my way to class, the experience was surreal.
I loved every moment of getting lost in narrow cobblestone streets, trying new foods (yes, gelato counts as a food group) and taking in the beauty of the Duomo or the Uffizi Gallery on a random Tuesday. It was a dream — and an exhausting one in the best way.
Returning from that kind of immersive travel and a packed academic year made returning home feel especially important. One of the first things I did was resume my position as a front desk attendant at my local community center — a job I’ve held since July 2023 and pick up whenever I’m home. It’s familiar, grounding and surprisingly fulfilling.
Whether I’m helping residents sign up for programs, greeting regulars or simply keeping things organized behind the counter, it’s a way for me to stay connected with my hometown and contribute to a space that has always felt like a second home.
I also have a virtual internship with Penn State’s College of Engineering, which I complete on my own schedule. The flexibility has been a game-changer. I’m gaining professional experience while still getting to enjoy family dinners, take walks in the neighborhood and yes, even catch up on Netflix without feeling like I’m neglecting my homework.
One of the best parts about being home again is having time to sew. It’s something I’ve loved doing since I was seven, but it’s hard to find the space and time during the school year to dive into a project. After being inspired by my apparel design course in Florence, I’ve been sketching, cutting fabric and actually finishing pieces.
Having the time and freedom to create just for fun has reminded me why I love fashion in the first place. It’s been a quiet, satisfying way to reconnect with myself — no deadlines, no grades, just creating.
It might seem like taking a few months at home is just a luxury, but for many students, it’s actually an essential reset. The academic year can be draining — mentally, emotionally and even physically. Constant deadlines, social pressures and the hustle of campus life add up. Being home gives me the chance to breathe again.
There’s real value in re-centering yourself. Spending time with family helps you reconnect with who you are outside of your academic identity. You’re not just a student, or a member of this club or that team — you’re also a sibling, a friend, a neighbor. These roles remind you that you’re part of something bigger and more grounded than your GPA or extracurricular activities.
This time at home isn’t just about relaxing — it’s also a time to reflect. I can think clearly about what academic strategies worked for me this past school year and what didn’t. I’ve realized how important time management is, how much I value independence and how I need to prioritize sleep and mental health next semester (no more 2 a.m. doom scrolling through Instagram reels instead of studying).
With fewer distractions, I’ve been able to plan out future goals, polish my resume and even take a deep breath without worrying that I’m falling behind. Ironically, slowing down has helped me move forward with more clarity.
I won’t lie — there have been a few days where I did absolutely nothing productive and I regret none of them. But I’ve also kept myself engaged through work, my internship, sewing projects and reconnecting with old friends.
The key has been balance: enough activity to keep my brain working while still having enough downtime to let myself truly rest.
That’s something campus life doesn’t always allow for. Even during “breaks,” there’s pressure to fill every moment with resume-builders. Being home reminds me that rest is productive too. It’s not wasted time, but rather it’s preparation for the next chapter.
Soon enough, I’ll be packing up again and heading back to Penn State. I’ll be excited to return, but I’ll bring with me the lessons learned from this summer so far: the value of rest, the importance of reflection and the joy of reconnecting with the people who keep me grounded.
For now, I’m enjoying hot meals that weren’t cooked in bulk trays, packages that actually get delivered to my door and most of all, the comfort of being home. Sometimes, to grow and thrive, you need to step away from the chaos, take a deep breath and just exist.
And hey, not having to swipe in for every meal? That’s just a bonus.
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