Homeward bound

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As the evening now starts at half three, plunging Exeter into near-darkness as soon as hungover students drag themselves out of bed, Christmas is undeniably close. And with it comes the thought of getting a train home, the cost of which is sure to make anyone wince as the last of the student loan for this term is quickly running out. For those of us that didn’t make it home for reading week, which is basically anyone that isn’t a first year eager to run back home and hype up their fresher’s experience to old mates, and try and convince them (and lie) that yeah, Exeter does have a sound nightlife, the Christmas holidays are a chance to go back and remind our families that we haven’t abandoned them yet.

going home is a way to get away from the madness and spontaneity of university

For some, it’s a chance to actually get some sleep and not drink, at least not every night; for others, it’s the time to go out in the same places you did when you were sixteen, except now it’s seen through the rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia. Either way, going home is a way to get away from the madness and spontaneity of university. The heating’s on, for a start, and the thought of eating a meal not cooked in a dirty kitchen wearing at least four layers of jumpers is almost intoxicating. The chance to maybe get rid of that cough that’s been lurking around since some point in freshers is too good an opportunity to miss.

The hardest thing about going home for almost a month is missing the people you spend literally all day with, as the all-nighters pulled over essays and Stranger Things are replaced by a comfy mattress, pets, and people you can’t really remember why you were friends with at school.

Can’t quite leave the house at 3am armed with Lambrini in your pajamas

Best not forget the worst thing about heading back home after the sweet freedom of uni life: parental figures that actually want to know what you’re up to now you’re back. Can’t quite leave the house at 3am armed with Lambrini in your pajamas, or make mashed potato at 11pm for a ‘study snack’, or moan about how much work you should be doing, without a raised eyebrow here and there.

Let’s be honest though, however much you’re looking forward to going home, we will be begging to get back to uni after a week of family time and reminders as to why we left in the first place.