For most, Thanksgiving break is the first time a college student reunites with their family after three long months of being away from home. Wherever home may be, nothing feels better than taking a step back from schoolwork and re-entering your original comfort zone.
I used to hate Thanksgiving. It was just another holiday, with food I didn’t like and an extra day I had to go without seeing my friends. Before college, my friends were all I cared about and I didn’t really take the chance to appreciate how thankful I am to have such a great home, family, and food provided for me on the table.
It took longer than it should have for me to realize and appreciate how important Thanksgiving is and that at the end of the day family is all you have.
But anyways, as a college student I love going home for Thanksgiving. Why? Well first of all…
- Mom’s cooking. Nothing beats a home cooked meal. Seriously, I’m still trying to figure out how not to burn my toast everyday.
- Your bed. OMG that amazing feeling of getting under the covers for the first time in a nice, clean, and new set of sheets and sprawling out across the whole bed. Literally, I feel like I’m in heaven.
- Driving. If you’re like me and don’t have a car at school, there’s nothing like getting back on the road and blasting your favorite songs as you cruise down the street.
- Appointments. No better feeling than returning to your hair, nail, and wax salon that you can actually trust and where they know your name. Beauty days are the best days!
- Boredom. Yeah I know this sounds weird, but how good does it feel to have zero homework to think about? I would rather be bored than typing ten page papers everyday.
- Shopping. Going back to school with your suitcase five pounds heavier than you expected — but how could you not love new clothes?
- Friends. It’s nice to reunite with your old high school friends and share stores… at least the ones you still talk to.
- Family. What I have learned to be the most important part of life. Hugging all your parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents is so comforting. You sort of feel like a kid again and have someone to rely on other than yourself for just a few days.
Of course the worst part is being asked 10,000 questions about school but come on: you’re the center of the attention! Soak it up while you can.
Thanksgiving is such a special holiday, and not only on this day but all 364 others, we should take the time to appreciate all that we are given because you never know when it can be taken away.
So on that note, thank you Mom for letting me come home just to eat and sleep all week. HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
