Though this article may have been more timely over Thanksgiving break, there's never a better time to thank your parents for their love and affection than during the holiday season. Of course, you should be grateful for your parents all year long, but during the holidays there tends to be more emotional sentiment in the air as college students come home from a long semester and prepare to spend several weeks at home with their families.

So this year, as you make your gift lists and binge watch that show you've had on your radar since August, take some time to really thank your parents for everything they do for you behind the scenes.

1. Scheduling your necessary doctor's appointments over school breaks, so you can stay in tip-top health

This may seem like a nuisance that crops up whenever you go home and your mom surprises you by saying that you have a doctor's appointment at 9 am the following day.

However, see these unfortunate surprises as small tokens of love from your parents to you. They just want you to be the best you can be while you're at school.

2. Purposely making your favorite meals when you come home

Delicious home-cooked food is, of course, one of the greatest pleasures of coming home over all breaks, and winter break is no exception. Though I've gotten slightly more creative with my own meals at school as the semesters go by, there's nothing like finally getting home after hours of traveling and finding that your mom has your favorite soup warming up on the stove. If you're lucky enough to have this at your home, don't take it for granted.

3. Sending you care packages full of treats over holidays like Halloween or Valentine's Day

I always look forward to timely mail deliveries full of loving notes and my favorite candy around the holidays that I don't go home for. It's a wonderful reminder, especially around Valentine's Day, that the love from your parents is by far the most important relationship in your life.

4. Reimbursing you for rent before you even tell them you've paid it

It's always a delightful surprise when you go to tentatively check your (undoubtedly lower) bank account a couple of days after you've paid rent, and you find that your parents have already put the rent money in your bank account. It just goes to show you that even when you think you're on top of your life, your parents are always there to be one step ahead of you. This is especially nice to have in college, when it can feel like you have fifty things to do at once, at all times.

5. Texting you "Good Luck!" on days when you have a big test or presentation

Though your parents may not be here to take your exam or present to the class for you, they can start your stressful days off with some much-needed words of encouragement. Even when you feel like there's no point in studying anymore for a test you feel is a goner, that one text from Mom could be just what you need to motivate you to continue giving your absolute best.

6. Comforting you with wise words when you're upset about the current state of the world

Obviously, I'm not the first to notice that for a college student currently growing into their place in the world, it often feels like we live in an age of pure chaos and confusion. However, in times when you're questioning morals and giving up hope, it's important to remember that your parents have lived through a lot more of the world than you have.

You may not always agree with everything they say, but their perspective on the significance of world events can provide a necessary step back from your own panic about world affairs.

7. Texting you instructions on how to do various home repairs that you never had to tackle until you went to college

Even though I'm in my third year of college and my second year living off grounds, I still find myself texting my parents whenever something doesn't work in my apartment or if I have to fix something that's broken. It's times like this to truly appreciate that toolkit Dad got you that you initially laughed at, yet now really need. As I've learned, many home repairs can be solved with a simple turn of a screwdriver.

8. Pretending to understand your newly acquired college slang even when you know they don't

I always love those moments when I accidentally slip in some UVa, Virginia, or just plain old college slang, like "woke" or "lit," into conversations with my parents and they don't question it. I'm always amused when they, in turn, jokingly slip some slang, accompanied by well-placed emojis, into our text conversations. It warms my heart to know that underneath the sage advice and words of encouragement, they really are cool.

9. Offering to take you shopping whenever you see them, at home or at school

As my mom often says, "don't look a gift horse in the mouth," and this especially applies when I'm with my parents and they offer to help restock my cabinets or toiletries. This is why it's helpful to always keep a list going of things you need, so that when your parents inevitably ask, "do you need anything?" you don't just reply "uh... no, I'm good" and forget everything you needed until just after they leave.

10. Providing you with unconditional love and support in all situations

Besides all of the tangible things that parents do for you throughout the year, it's especially important to recognize that they love you even when they're not taking you shopping or sending you candy. You may have friends or relationships at school that provide you with love and comfort, but there is nothing like the comfort of knowing that you can text or call your mom at any time and she'll never be in class or too busy studying to answer.

So this holiday season, don't take that extra time with your parents for granted. They're happy to see you, and you should let them know why you're happy to see them. Being a parent is, I'm told, often a thankless job, but if you take more time to thank them for everything they do for you, it doesn't have to be.

Thank you, Mom and Dad. I love you.