7 Lessons "Home Alone" Taught Us About College Life

By Alexandra Brown on June 26, 2015

If you didn’t grow up under a rock, you most likely enjoyed all of Kevin McCallister’s wit, knowledge and crazy antics in the ’90s holiday classic “Home Alone.”

Although the movie is probably on in your household at least once during every holiday season, it’s so good that it’s definitely enjoyable at any time throughout the year. It also brings back that childhood nostalgia that you might miss when being away at college.

Even though this holiday classic was popular when we were younger, it can still offer life lessons, specifically those applicable to college life.

Here are seven lessons “Home Alone” taught us about college life.

1. Growing up in a crazy family prepares you for who you might meet in college.

As is apparent throughout the movie, Kevin McCallister’s family is made up of an array of various types of personalities. There’s the know-it-all cousin who, at probably 12, has an answer for anything, there’s the other cousin who can’t drink Pepsi past 6 p.m. because of the potential damage it could do to the sheets, there’s the uncle who is just about as warm as the coldest winter day on campus, and many others.

There are many different types of people on a college campus, and it’s different than high school. People aren’t afraid to be who they are, and it doesn’t appear as if everyone is the same, like how it may have been in high school.

If you grew up in a big, crazy family, or even a smaller family, chances are you were still exposed to various personality types, which undoubtedly prepared you for who you were going to meet in college, and how to deal with multiple different personality types. It also most likely prepared you for sharing a room, whether it be with someone you knew prior to coming on campus, or with a complete stranger.

2. Pizza is the only (important) food group.

As college students, it’s unfortunate, but we’re definitely more inclined to choose pizza over something remotely healthy just about any day of the week. It’s just what we crave, and we’ve learned to accept that.

Kevin taught us that this was okay, and that we should be proud.

After a long exam, a painful study session, or an extremely fun night out drinking, pizza is always there for us, and we’ll choose it every time. It’s who we are.

3. Don’t oversleep on the most important of days.

The McCallister family so carelessly managed to sleep in not once on the morning of an important outing, but twice, warranting a sequel to the first movie.

Because of their mistakes, we’ve learned the importance of setting multiple alarms the night before an important exam, final, job interview, etc., especially if they take place in the morning. Nothing is worse than sleeping through your 8 a.m. final and having to bear the consequences, which might mean staying on campus an extra week for a re-take (if you’re lucky), or settling for a dropped letter grade as your final score in the class.

4. Allow for second chances.

In the heartwarming conversation Kevin has with Old Man Marley in the church on Christmas Eve, Kevin convinces the once feared neighbor of his to give his relationship with his son another chance.

From this, we can take away that allowing for second chances can be good, whether they involve an old friend, significant other, or family member. Holding grudges is never healthy, and life’s too short to stay mad at the ones we love the most.

5. Eating junk food and watching TV is the best outlet.

As college students, it’s unfortunate but true that when allotted free time, we more often than not choose Netflix and snacks, almost every time.

There’s no better feeling than knowing that after that long exam, philanthropy event, or even class, we can go back to our dorms or apartments, and just relax with our favorite shows, and food we love so much. It’s truly bliss.

6. Forgiveness is key.

If 8-year-old Kevin can forgive his mom for literally forgetting him at home and leaving with the entire family to catch a flight, you can forgive your friend for hooking up with that one guy who was never even yours, or your roommate for not doing their dishes (yet again).

Forgiveness is key in life, and it’ll always make you feel better.

7. Don’t take your parents for granted (I made my family disappear).

Being away from home at college allows for independence and growth as human beings, and the chance to finally make our own decisions without our parents’ input.

This might end successfully or poorly, but while away, don’t take your parents for granted. Try to call them at least weekly, and let them know you appreciate them, and haven’t forgotten about them.

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