It's everyone's favorite time of the year, Thanksgiving! We get to sit around listening to our relatives question our decisions, our relationships, post graduation choices and everything in-between. Here are some of the frightening questions that you might encounter as a college senior at the dinner table.

1. What are your plans for after college?

Plan? Yes, yes, of course, I have a plan. Oh, what is it? I’m not going to say that I have it all figured out yet, but I know I’m getting a new puppy after graduation, so I think that’s a pretty solid start. Am I moving out? Well that would be ideal and I did start a savings account pretty early on, meaning last week, so I do plan on moving out of my parents’ house with my new puppy as soon as possible. Oh, Aunt Chrissy, of course, you know that I’m definitely on track with my sports career. I haven’t really reached out to them, but the number of New Jersey Devils representatives connecting with me on LinkedIn makes me think that I’ll be just fine.

2. How are your grades?

That’s not something we bring up at Thanksgiving dinner and frankly, I find it rude that you asked such a question. I will be watching football with my 11-year-old cousin Luca if you need me; he doesn’t ask silly questions.

3. We know you have a boyfriend. How is that?!

Yes, I have a boyfriend and yes, he is a senior at West Point (Military much wow), but he does not need to be referred to as my "military boyfriend" every time extended family is around just to impress them, Aunt Ruse. No, we are not engaged and no, I am not giving you grandchildren, great nieces/nephews or fifth cousins anytime soon, so please do not get your hopes up. All you need to know is that I’m dating my dream guy who I am happy (forced) to watch the League of Legends tournament alongside.

4. How is your senior year so far?

I’m in eight classes, I work after class every day, I find myself eating more toaster oven pizza than ever before and I’m swamped with an insane amount of work. I honestly couldn’t be happier, Uncle Lou. I may be drowning in assignments and responsibilities, but I’m having the time of my life while dealing with everything that I need to accomplish.

5. Are you excited to graduate?

What, are these tears? No, no, no, I mean, yes, but I’m just really excited the mashed potatoes are ready. I’m definitely not crying because I’m graduating college. I have my days where I have three exams to study for, four papers to write and six billion job applications on my hand and I think I can’t wait for graduation and everything to be over and move on to the real world. On the other hand, I find myself dreading graduation and leaving the people I’ve grown so close to, moving to a place where I’m a plane ride away and I can’t have my morning coffee dates with my best friend Sam, not being able to sit on my porch and watch and be entertained by stumbling freshmen trying to get into the basketball party next-door instead of going out on a Saturday night and I am seriously not ready or prepared to pay for my own gym membership and not have one steps away. In all honesty, I’m nervous to graduate, mom, Ken, grandma, Aunt Christine, but I’m excited because I can look back on all the good memories that I’ve had here and all of the times that you have helped me get through it and I can’t thank you all enough for supporting me through my time here at Fairfield.

Stags Up ‘17