Although many students look forward to going home for the summer break, others have feelings of trepidation. This may be for various reasons — for example, you may not have the best relationship with your family, a sibling may have taken over your bedroom, or you may find it difficult to return to living under your parents’ roof after being independent at university. Even if this is the case, there are things to look forward to, including seeing your hometown friends, fewer responsibilities, and free food. To make the transition as smooth as possible, here are several things you can do.

1. Stay in Touch with Friends from University

One of the hardest adjustments to make is suddenly being separated from your university friends. You see many of them close to every day: in class, at mealtimes, and even at home, if they’re also your roommates. Now, you’ll be away from them and the life you have together. Make this easier by committing to stay in touch over the summer. Check in to share your news and perhaps even arrange to visit each other for a few days.

2. Use the Summer as a Chance to Recover

Returning to your family home means you’ll lose the freedom you had at university. Your parents may expect you to keep to the rules you had when you were at high school, or they may be willing to compromise on some aspects. To make your time at home as conflict free as possible, your best option may be to take things easy. If it upsets your parents that you stay out late or go to parties, take the summer as an opportunity to rest. This will allow you to recover from the previous semester and help you return to university refreshed for the next.

3. Don’t Expect Your Relationships with High School Friends to Be the Same

It’s likely your friends will have changed since going away to university, just as you have changed. This may mean your relationships are different. Plus, you may find that people you once considered your closest friends only held such a status because of their proximity — you may now have less in common than you once did. It’s important to have reasonable expectations to avoid disappointment.

Of course, it’s equally possible that you and your hometown friends will be enthusiastic to see each other. This is especially likely to be the case if you’ve stayed in touch during your time at university and know what’s going on in each other’s lives. However, you still need to bear in mind that some of your friends may not be around much over the summer, such as if they need to work, have internships, or will be traveling.

If the idea of going home for the summer doesn’t appeal at all, one option is to stay in your university town. Although you’ll need to leave your room if you’re in student residence, living in off-campus student housing means you’ll have a lease over the summer. You can find apartments near uOttawa with plenty to keep you occupied at THEO. We have a movie room, gym, rec room, basketball court, and music rooms on site and there are all sorts of spots for culture, history, and shopping nearby. Contact us for details about our special promotions for immediate occupancy.