A few weeks ago, I returned home to celebrate the Lunar New Year with my family. I had a good time seeing them and being in my hometown again after being away for nearly a month. However, I also realized a lot changed when I returned home — and not in a good way.
I had a discussion with a friend about feeling stagnant at home, whether that be in your academics or personal life.
Looking back at Winter Break, or even the summer, I’ve started to realize that a lot of the personal growth I’ve made at college, like being more outgoing, being more productive and having a vibrant social life, dissipated whenever I came home.
I became lazier, started eating more unhealthy food and became content with just staying in my room all day. It reminded me of my time in high school.
The fact that these old habits return whenever I’m back home from college isn’t unique to me, and some other UNC students share a similar sentiment.
“My motivation to do schoolwork is less at home, and that is just a product of the environment,” sophomore Ryan Richardson said. “I can get work done but there are more distractions, and the bed or couch are never too far away, versus when I am at a library at UNC.”
Richardson said being at college offers a lot more versus being at home, which can help keep you active.
“There is so much to do in college from going to sporting events, hanging out with friends, playing in sports and, of course, learning,” Richardson said.
Likewise, junior Amelia Buck also believes that the familiarity of home can become too comforting.
