2008 Woodie Awards
Holiday homecomings: Adjusting from college life
Becky Paskievich
Issue date: 12/7/07 Section: College Life
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She's not sure if they'll have the same attitude after she is home for a while during winter break, but she would have a hard time adjusting to an old set of rules.
"It's probably not going go well because I'm not used to (having to follow rules while at school)," she said. "But they don't like me being out late."
She said her parents seem to have expected her need for freedom and, therefore, are more willing to compromise
"(My mom) knows I'm responsible enough to not make stupid decisions (when I go out)," she said.
"My parents are strict about my curfew but they are understanding about me having my own freedom," she said. "All I really have to do is ask them."
Stephen Blanchette, senior from St. Anne, Ill., said it's important for parents to compromise so their children won't dread coming home for holidays.
"(Their children are) never going to come home because their freedom is gone when they're home," he said.
He recognized the notion of romanticizing visits home that Daughaday discussed.
He said oftentimes students think they're going to go home and have their parents cook for them and cater to them, but they soon realize it's harder because some of their college-life freedoms disappear.
"A lot of college students have trouble staying home for that long (over winter break)," he said. "(My parents) tell me to do stuff and I'm not used to being told what to do."
Although he doesn't have his previous high school curfew, Blanchette still has to tell his parents where he's going when he leaves the house.
Despite these changes, Blanchette still understands the importance of being home with family.
"When you go home you need to cherish your family and really be around them more and not just go home and do your own thing," he said.
Since Blanchette is graduating in the spring, he is learning to appreciate family time more because he knows once he starts a full-time job, his time with them will be limited. He offered advice to younger students in regard to their holiday homecomings.
"Realize that once you graduate you won't be seeing your parents like you used to, Blanchette said. Be with your friends and family and don't just play video games and watch TV. Be with them because you're not going to be able to be around them forever."
"It's probably not going go well because I'm not used to (having to follow rules while at school)," she said. "But they don't like me being out late."
She said her parents seem to have expected her need for freedom and, therefore, are more willing to compromise
"(My mom) knows I'm responsible enough to not make stupid decisions (when I go out)," she said.
"My parents are strict about my curfew but they are understanding about me having my own freedom," she said. "All I really have to do is ask them."
Stephen Blanchette, senior from St. Anne, Ill., said it's important for parents to compromise so their children won't dread coming home for holidays.
"(Their children are) never going to come home because their freedom is gone when they're home," he said.
He recognized the notion of romanticizing visits home that Daughaday discussed.
He said oftentimes students think they're going to go home and have their parents cook for them and cater to them, but they soon realize it's harder because some of their college-life freedoms disappear.
"A lot of college students have trouble staying home for that long (over winter break)," he said. "(My parents) tell me to do stuff and I'm not used to being told what to do."
Although he doesn't have his previous high school curfew, Blanchette still has to tell his parents where he's going when he leaves the house.
Despite these changes, Blanchette still understands the importance of being home with family.
"When you go home you need to cherish your family and really be around them more and not just go home and do your own thing," he said.
Since Blanchette is graduating in the spring, he is learning to appreciate family time more because he knows once he starts a full-time job, his time with them will be limited. He offered advice to younger students in regard to their holiday homecomings.
"Realize that once you graduate you won't be seeing your parents like you used to, Blanchette said. Be with your friends and family and don't just play video games and watch TV. Be with them because you're not going to be able to be around them forever."
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