After their first semester of being completely self-sufficient and self-sustaining at college, some returning college freshmen are having to readjust to their parents rules, curfews, and authority over winter break before going back for another semester at college.

“It’s weird and nostalgic [to come back] but I definitely like college much better and can’t wait to go back,” 2013 graduate Brandon Scott said. “[My parents] kind of let me do my own thing so that’s nice but you can’t beat good old home cooked meals.”

Most students, like Scott find it nostalgic to come back to the area after being away from home for months.

“It’s weird to see how much people and things have changed,” 2013 graduate Holly Ostrander said. “My parents chilled out a lot with me since I went to college. I still have to communicate and tell them my plans but as far as like restrictions or curfews go, they aren’t the same as they used to be.”

It’s a big change from six months ago.

“There really aren’t rules for me anymore,” 2013 graduate Brian Hesson said. “Other than ‘don’t get arrested’ and ‘let us know if you’re spending the night somewhere so we don’t have to make dinner for you’, I really get to enjoy complete freedom.”

However, not all returning graduates are experiencing this kind of freedom.

“Being back is nice, to be with friends and family, but answering to my parents is awful,” 2013 graduate Megan Forest said. “I’m used to being very independent at school and here I still have a curfew. [My parents] are unfortunately still very strict.”

With winter break only a temporary freeze on their new found freedom, many graduates do not see their parents rules as all that terrible.

“The transition of going from being able to do whatever you want, whenever you want, with whomever you want to having to ask permission is, I guess, kind of annoying,” 2013 graduate Amy Minix said. “It’s really weird but it’s also really nice seeing everyone.”