The holidays are a wonderful time of year. They're filled with joy, love and, of course, family. Family is an incredible blessing, but they also tend to ask the questions that hit right where you're vulnerable. The holidays are also a time that we're usually away from our friends and roommates, which can be hard for us. This is the list we wish people had so that they could realize that we're not being moody or cranky, we simply are struggling to get through the holidays.

1. The dreaded question, "So, are you dating anyone yet?"

This is an awful question, whether you're single or not. Please, please, please don't ask us this. First of all, it's insulting. If we're single, trust me, we are well aware of it. If we're not, then your assumption that we are is hurtful. Second of all, dating today is complicated. We may not want to talk about it, or we may not even know ourselves. So just don't ask, OK?

2. The even worse, "Well, 'cause you know your little brother has a girlfriend now, right?"

Do I even really need to explain this? Have some tact. Thanks.

3. Eating way too much of mama's home cooking because you need to stock up for when you're back on your own.

There is a high possibility that we will eat double our body weight in food whenever we go home. School food does not compare. Our RA's brownies do not compare. Anything we make ourselves does not compare. Don't judge us, just pass the dessert, and don't get near our faces or you may lose a finger.

4. If we look cold, we most definitely are.

Those oversized sweaters we all love to wear? They are nowhere near as warm as they look. And for the truly brave of heart who wear open-knit? Forget it. They'll have icicles hanging off of them in approximately five seconds. We are never warm enough. Ever.

5. We are broke college students.

We have no money to buy food to bring to Thanksgiving. No, not even a bottle of wine. We also have very little money for Christmas gifts, even though we've probably been saving our paychecks for weeks now. Please forgive us, we try our best.

6. Being back home takes some time to adjust. We apologize in advance for our bad manners.

Being on our own is no excuse to have a lapse in manners, but it inevitably happens every year. We're used to being surrounded by only our peers, and to be back around authority figures is sometimes difficult for us.

7. Speaking of adjusting, please let us sleep.

We don't get nearly enough sleep at school, so when we're home, that's one of the main things we want to accomplish. We need rest so that we can be mentally ready when we go back to studying.

8. As much as we may say we want boring gifts like clothes or money, I promise you we want to be a kid again so we can stop adulting.

I'm not saying we want a Barbie doll or a toy truck, but we may want things slightly more fun and interesting than what we feel compelled to tell you.

9. Since we're adults now, by force not by choice, please let us be your babies again.

We like to act all grown up, but, in reality, we just want someone to take care of us. We're tired and stressed and we just really need that support. We may be trying to put on a brave front, but please don't believe us. We really do need that hug or cuddle.

10. Holiday family gatherings mean holiday clothes.

Why is there not a dress code for these things? Are we supposed to dress really nicely, like the younger kids and the adults? Or are we supposed to dress like the slouchy teenagers? Why is there not a rule?

11. The holidays never last long enough.

Our semesters are so long and, often, we never get any breaks or opportunities to come home. We miss y'all like crazy and a few weeks is nowhere near long enough.