Attention all high school/college aged students, be prepared for what we all dread during the holidays.

Those questions that every family member just has to ask.

Seriously, there is nothing more awkward than being asked the same questions every year by family members you only see twice a year, maybe. Being in college, and even in high school, there is just so much going on in our lives that we truly have a difficult time balancing it all, and understanding ourselves what is going on. How are we supposed to answer questions truthfully to others about our lives when we don't even know what is going on?! It is something us young adults stress about every holiday season, and these are only a few of the same questions we expect every year, starting with...

1. How is the love life?

This question is easily a question that can make ANYBODY our age uncomfortable, especially if you are single. Our family will ask us this question every year, expecting to hear a different answer, but they never do. Don't worry though, they will still ask it every time they see you!

2. Whatever happened to (insert name here)?

This is almost as frustrating as asking about our love life. Nothing is more awkward than when you have a terrible breakup with someone, and because you brought them around your family a handful of times you have to hear their name for the next five years.

3. How is school going?

A question that can have so many replies...mostly negative replies, that is. You could go on & say "Oh, I only get three hours of sleep a night studying for a test that I know I will still end up failing somehow, while trying to manage to do 300+ hours of homework in a whole day span." But to avoid the headache, most of us will simply just say "it's good.", & just pray that our family leaves it at that.

4. Who did you vote for?

A question that is going to be so prominent for this upcoming Thanksgiving dinner. And of course being a young college student, if you tell a person who you voted for and they don't agree, the first thing they will attack is how you're young, and then they will question where you are learning your political information from. Then of course if you say you didn't vote to try to avoid conflict, someone will be there to say "you didn't do you duty as an American citizen?!", and will make you feel like you just murdered someone. Just a warning now, there is no good answer for this question.

5. How is work going?

Why do so many adults ask this question and expect college aged students to actually say they love their job? While some kids might love their job, there are many more that absolutely hate it. It is just a job that we are working to make it through college, and that is something that many adults should understand since they too went through it. This question is another question that could get so many (negative) responses, but we all probably will just say "it's good".

6. What're your plans after graduation?

Whoa. WHOA there. Slow it down. Most college kids can't even tell you what their plans are for the next day, let alone tell you what they want to do after they graduate for the rest of their lives! Just thinking about this question gives me anxiety, so I pray that it is not asked just so I don't have to deal with a mental breakdown right before I dive into a feast of turkey and mashed potatoes.

This is not meant to be an insult towards the adults of any families. We understand it is your job to be concerned and ask these questions. But please, a request from all high school/college students, PLEASE ask us new questions this year. Preferably questions that won't give us anxiety, or questions that won't make us cringe thinking about the past. All we are asking for is a little change up this holiday season.

Happy Holidays!