Thanksgiving is coming upon Thursday, November 24. Whether you are having dinner at home, at Grandma's house, or even at the Chinese restaurant, family members are going to talk. Before you give that existential-crisis-of-a moan or groan, sit back and think about the time of year. If you're like my family, you won't see your aunts, uncles, or cousins for a big majority of the year. Of course, they're going to want to know how you're doing! This idea that talking to your family is an absolute drain on your non-existent life is downright insulting. Five discussions need to happen this thanksgiving.

1. Talk about how school is going

Here comes that groan. If you're so disinterested in talking about how school is going, then you simply aren't doing enough with yourself. Look, I get it. You're incredibly busy, and you do a lot to get through your school lifeI have two jobs while volunteering, giving to charity, and going to school full-time. However, if you aren't doing enough exciting things to want to talk about it, you need to do more. Be proud of your grades. Be willing to admit that they can and will improve. Talk about the friends you're making. Be excited, and stop being a stick in the mud. You are not too high and mighty to talk about school.

2. Talk about your relationships.

Here comes that louder groan. Again, look. If you have a significant other, you're going to want to talk about them (unless they're abusing you, there's absolutely no reason to NOT show them off to your family, even if it is merely pictures on your phone). If you aren't dating, or you're not interested in dating, say so. But don't cut out your family, who are simply just trying to figure out how you're doing. If the thought of marriage is brought up, you're allowed to shut it down and say, "I'm not looking to get married right now," but don't be rude about it.

3. Talk about your future plans.

You know it's going to come up. "Have you thought about getting an apartment?" "Have you gotten your driver's license?" "What will your degree do for you?" (we'll discuss this question in another point). Since you're there, and you probably won't see them again until you have to make a big update, go ahead and talk about your future plans, or what you know now!

4. Freakin' talk about your major

If you are so disinterested in talking about what the major you are completing will do for you, change majors as soon as possible. If you have such a disdain for talking about the major you're in, change it because you obviously do not have the love of it that you once thought you did. Will you potentially have criticisms, YES. But you should rather get criticism for a major you love then hide a major that you secretly hate.

5. Talk about what you're thankful for this holiday season.

If nothing else, tell your family that you're thankful for them. Tell them every single blessing that you have received this year. Praise whatever god you believe for the riches and privileges you have an as American (or any other nationality) college student. Don't shirk off this holiday for Christmas.