"

Has this ever happened to you? You wake up to the sun shining, the birds chirping, your skin glowing and … wait! Where’s the permacloud? You’re not in South Bend anymore.

You look around, and everything clicks: It’s the last day of break, and you’re halfway across the country, still in your hometown. Not to fear! There are a multitude of options to whisk you back to your home under the dome!

1. South Shore Line: If you’re one of the many people who venture back to South Bend through Chicago, you are probably no stranger to this. Flying into O’Hare? Tired from your early flight? Not to worry — all you need to do is get on the Blue Line for an hour (if you’re lucky) to Millenium Station, hope your arrival aligns with the next train (or get cozy for a few hours while you wait), settle in for the two to three hour trek back to the South Bend airport and Uber back to campus. Just be grateful that you no longer have to hop on a bus in between.

2. Direct flight: Extra cash lying around? I have just the use for it. For an exorbitant amount of money, you can cut out the middleman and fly right into South Bend. Oh, just one caveat — chances are, you’re going to have a layover in Charlotte or Atlanta, and if your flight is delayed, you’ll probably need to wait a day for a new one. But when the stars align, it’s just oh-so-convenient!

3. Bus: If you hail from a lucky city that sends a bus to and from campus during breaks, this is the option for you. Will it break down halfway through your 12 hour journey? Perhaps. Will it arrive in your hometown at an ungodly hour, forcing your parents to pick you up at 3 a.m.? Most definitely. But there’s no better way to prepare yourself for a new semester than to sit on a bus for half a day with 50 other students you vaguely know but never really talk to. You’ll be best friends in no time!

4. Drive: If you’re fortunate enough to have a car and live within reasonable distance, just do this. Download some music, grab some road trip snacks and you’re set. You’ll save time, money and your sanity.

Long story short, don’t sweat it. It may take three cancelled flights and 15 hours in the airport, a $150 Uber from O’Hare shared with a stranger, and a 2 a.m. arrival, but, one way or another, it won’t be long before you’re back in the Bend. If all else fails, just click your heels three times — it worked for Dorothy.