Thanksgiving is coming and breaks are starting. I find that some colleges only give the Thursday through that Sunday as a break. Lucky for me, my college started the week long break this year. I pray this continues because I have big plans for this break and how I will be using it. For any administration of any college, I have compiled a list of reasons that us college kids NEED a week long break.
1. We can catch up on our sleep.
College sleep schedules are basically the hot mess express. We go to bed late after studying or fast food runs. We go to bed late because we can't quiet our minds down whatsoever. On top of going to bed late, a lot of us have early morning classes that we have to get up for. This all adds up to causing us to have a ridiculously screwed up sleep schedule. I find myself and my friends running on four or five hours of sleep for several consecutive days. This is not healthy and we all know it. This week I plan on allowing myself to catch up on my sleep and I am unashamed of the fact that I just slept in until 11:00.
2. We have finals coming up!!!
Sorry if that sentence gave you anxiety. I know it made my stomach do a little nervous flip. Finals don't always only mean a test to study for, but several of my classes are ALSO giving us projects and papers. Some are even due right when I get back from break. This week I have dedicated times to when I will be working on each final and that includes studying time. Having a week at home where I can have more of a quiet studying atmosphere will really help me with studying.
3. A weekend just isn't enough to travel for.
I am lucky because my college is only 20 minutes from home but I have a friend who lives over 20 hours away from home. A weekend for Thanksgiving simply is not enough for her to fly or drive home. Flying is too expensive. Driving is unrealistic because she wouldn't have much time at home and she isn't the only one in this boat. I even think that a weekend isn't enough because I want to spend as much time as I can with my family. 20 minutes seems like quite a bit when I have some meeting or work going on every weeknight and weekend at college.
4. FOOD
The food at my college is actually pretty good but nothing can beat a home cooked meal, especially with the way my family cooks. I'm not just talking about any Thanksgiving get-togethers. Every day this week I will be enjoying at least one home cooked meal. I get to eat good and fuel my brain so I can keep working on all my different finals and projects.
5. Faculty and staff need breaks too.
Our professors work harder than we know and they aren't the only ones. The food service workers, grounds crew, maintenance, and many others put in their work on campus and need a break as well. We don't always appreciate the work they do to keep our colleges running. So as a thank you, let's give them a longer break to see their friends and family.
6. Friends and family
If I only have that Thanksgiving weekend, I will probably spend it all with family which isn't a bad thing. But if you open up a whole week it allows for "Friendsgivings" and reuniting with friends from home! I want to see all the people I am thankful for and a weekend just isn't enough! We have so much to be thankful for! Let's take this week to spend time with everyone we are thankful to have in our lives even if it's just a call to those far away. Make sure you let people know you value their relationship with you! After all, that is what this is all about!
