Preparing for the Holidays: What Every College Freshman Should Know Before Heading Home

Hi there! For those of you new to College Aid Pro’s blog or my articles, it’s lovely to meet you. My name is Claire Portele, and I am currently a senior (yikes) at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. While most of my posts are geared towards parents, this article is specifically meant for college freshmen who are nearing the end of their first semester and preparing to head home for the holidays.

Right now, you’re probably experiencing some pretty big life changes. Congratulations! You’re officially a college student—balancing classes, making friends, getting involved on campus, and trying to stay on top of your work. It’s a lot, but I’m sure you’re doing great!

With the holiday season approaching, though, you might be feeling a bit nervous about visiting your hometown for the first time since leaving for school. That’s completely normal! To help you prepare for this milestone, here are three things to keep in mind as you head home for the holidays for the first time:

1. Things Will Be Different

Regardless of your family dynamic or your relationship with your hometown, there will most likely be a shift when you go back. For some, this change will feel small. For others, it might feel monumental. Either way, change is normal and okay.

It’s a good idea to mentally prepare yourself for some adjustments before you head home. Maybe your old routines aren’t the same anymore, or your parents converted your bedroom into a home gym or office space (I speak from experience). Remember, this doesn’t mean your role at home has diminished—it just means life keeps moving, even while you’re away.

2. Communicate

Communication is key. When I came home for the first time as a freshman, I noticed a big shift in how I communicated with my parents. College offers a newfound freedom, so going back to a household with rules can feel restrictive.

I still argue with my parents when it comes to freedom and independence sometimes, and that’s okay! It’s natural to butt heads with your parents as you get older. While this is frustrating (speaking from experience here) it’s important to remember that your parents are ultimately trying to look out for you.

For us, it comes across as nagging and can seem like projecting (and maybe it is sometimes) but please, please keep in mind that your parents want what’s best for you! Instead of thinking only about how you may feel restricted by rules when you’re at home, focus on meeting your parents in the middle. Maybe they made some stupid mistakes when they were your age and are trying to protect you from facing the same consequences. As much as it’s hard to admit sometimes, parents are often right. They know what they’re doing, so trust that they’re not actively out to get you. 

For Parents: This applies to you, too! College teaches us to spread our wings, so set your expectations early – ideally before they even come home to visit. Keep in mind we are younger and our viewpoints are limited to our experiences, so it is difficult for us to have the foresight to know that you’re on our team, not against us. Explain why your rules are the way they are and consider extending the boundaries a little bit. We have been living on our own for at least a couple of months by now.

Acknowledge that your student, while related to you, may not have the same experiences as you. Maybe they’re more cautious than you were at their age. Maybe they’re not. Either way, give them the space to understand their actions and consequences. This requires trust, and trust comes from having open, honest and direct communication (that’s a quote from my Dad–we pay attention to you more than you may think). Trust that your parenting has been enough, because it has. You’ve made it this far, and that’s something to celebrate! 

3. Check In and Catch Up

While you’re home, make an effort to reconnect with the people you’ve missed. Whether it’s family, high school friends, or mentors, prioritize meaningful conversations.

  • Grab coffee with a friend from high school.
  • Go to breakfast with your grandparents.
  • Take your younger sibling shopping or play a game with them.

During these moments, actively listen and ask questions. Rebuilding these connections strengthens relationships and helps close any gaps that might have grown since you’ve been away.  It’s easy to feel disconnected from your hometown and support system when you leave for college.  You’re adjusting to a new location, new people, new routines & responsibilities,  and you no longer have the same day-to-day interaction and contact with those at home. While you’re visiting and have some space to breathe, love on those people!

Let them know they’re a priority in your, life and set up a communication plan with them so you can stay in touch when you go back to school. Not only does this make your connection stronger, but it also lets them know that you care. You’ll also have something to look forward to!

During my first semester, I felt really disconnected from my friends and family, so having a group facetime call with my high school best friends every Friday was something that got me through the week. If you’re not as big of a planner, use social media to your advantage! My younger sister communicates almost exclusively through Instagram, so we have a groupchat with my mom where we all send funny memes or inspirational posts to each other. It sounds stupid, but it works! 

A Final Reminder

Coming home for the holidays as a freshman can feel overwhelming, but remember why you’re going home: to see your support system. Your family and friends love and care about you—they want to see you thrive. Communicate, be honest, and lean into this time with them. And enjoy some home-cooked meals, your old bed, and just relaxing and reconnecting with people who can’t wait to give you a hug.

You’ve got this!