The semester break is finally here. It might only be for two weeks, but the big question is already tearing friend groups apart: Are you traveling home, or are you staying back in Idi-Araba?
For some, the answer is obvious. For others, it’s a calculated risk involving transport fares and Lagos traffic. We’ve weighed the pros and cons of both options to help you decide.
The Case for Going Home: “Operation Enjoyment”
There is nothing quite like leaving the stress of the College behind and heading to the comfort of your parents’ house.
1. Mummy’s Pot
Let’s be honest, no cafeteria food can compete with home-cooked meals. Going home means saying goodbye to noodles and bread for a few days and saying hello to proper soups, proteins, and free snacks.
2. The AC Life
If you live in a hostel room with a fan that barely spins, the luxury of air conditioning at home is enough reason to pack your bag.
The Downside:
- Lagos Traffic: Is it worth sitting in 4 hours of traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge just for a weekend trip?
- The Chores: You think you are going home to rest, but suddenly you are the designated dishwasher and errand runner.
The Case for Staying Back: “Hostel Peace”
Staying behind when the hostel empties out is an underrated experience. The usually noisy corridors of Stella and Alumni become ghost towns—in a good way.
1. Absolute Freedom
No curfew (sort of), no parents asking why you are pressing your phone at 2 AM, and total control over your schedule. You can sleep for 14 hours straight, and nobody will judge you.
2. Catching Up
If you are behind on your reading (which, let’s face it, most of us are), the quiet hostel provides the perfect environment to cover those missed topics without the distraction of family events.
The Downside:
- The Ghost Town Effect: It gets lonely. When the generator goes off and the hostel is pitch black and silent, you might start missing the chaos.
- Food Scarcity: Most campus vendors travel home too. You might find yourself surviving on biscuits and water.
The Verdict
- Go Home If: You are burnt out, broke, and crave good food.
- Stay Back If: You have exams immediately after the break or you just want to sleep for 3 days without interruption.
What is your plan for this break? Team ‘Travel’ or Team ‘Hostel’? Let us know in the comments!
