Winter Break. The most beautiful words in a college student’s vocabulary. However, the holiday season means that while you may not be taking exams given by professors, there will most certainly exams given by the relatives that the holidays bring to town. You know what I’m talking about—those questions about your life that your aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, and friends of your parents just love to fire off. Here’s your cheat sheet for the exam, college kids—the answers for all those holiday college questions.
1. “My major is (insert your major here)."
…and yes, I’d love to explain what it is to you, as well as how and why I chose it.
2. “My plans for after graduation include hopefully being employed.”
Sorry, that’s as specific as it gets right now. Yeah, I’ve got a dream career, but right now just having the job of “employed” would be nice.
3. “Nope, I don’t know what I’m doing this summer.”
Get back to me in March or April. Right now, I don’t even know what I’m doing for breakfast tomorrow. It’s on the horizon—I’m thinking about it. I want an internship or a job, but there are a lot of days between now and summer.
4. “ Yep, I’m still single. ”
Thank you for responding that you don’t know why, or that “the right person will come along.” Never heard that before. Also, believe it or not, I’m not miserable. Stop acting like I am.
5. “I did make good grades.”
I worked my butt off during finals and the weeks leading up to it, and now I’m enjoying my break. Please let me.
6. “I am enjoying college.”
There’s no easy answer to the, “So are you enjoying college?” question. Most days the answer is yes. Find me on a day where I have a packed schedule from 9 AM to 11 PM and 4 hours of homework and not enough time to eat meals and I might have a different answer. College is a roller coaster. How long ya got?
7. “Why yes, I do my laundry sometimes.”
No, I just live in dirty clothes all day…give me a break. I like to consider myself a semi-adult, and laundry is definitely one of those adult activities that I can check off the list.
8. “I’m taking 17 credit hours next semester. Here is my list of classes: [insert list of classes].”
I’m going to spout these off real quick so that I can resume not thinking about school.
9. “Who I voted for in the election really doesn’t matter.”
Actually, it matters a lot. I love the fact that I get to have a say in the government, but we all know that if I say the name of any presidential candidate someone in this house is going to lose their mind. Let’s not go there.
10. “Yes, I have been to the basketball/football games.”
Um, yes. Who do you think I am?!?! Now, let’s continue to talk about sports for the next hour. Better than the election.
11. “I haven’t thought about when I go back to school, nor do I want to.”
Classes JUST ended for this semester. I’ll think about next semester in a bit.
12. “Here is my resume.” (Hand your relative a copy so that they can read about what you do with your life for themselves.)
This one is a lifesaver. For all of you looking to forgo all of the above questions and answers, here’s a simple solution: bring your resume. When your relatives ask about your academics and activities and GPA, just hand them a copy. Let them read it. You’re caught up. And, hey, it’s a good excuse to make a resume if you don’t have one yet. They come in handy for lots of things other than family gatherings.
Happy Holidays!
