The things we are most thankful for, are often the most overlooked aspects of our lives. The things and people we are so used to, we lose sight of the fact that they may not always be around. So, after reading this, take time out of your day to think about all of the things and people you are thankful for.

1. Be thankful for your mom.

She knows you better than anyone and she’s the only one you have, so don’t take her for granted.

2. Be thankful for your ‘home best friends’.

You went through a weird, important time in your lives together, cherish that.They might be far away, but take comfort in knowing that you’ll all come back to the same place eventually.

3. Be thankful for your college friends.

These people are also your friends at a very weird, important time in your life. These are the friends you’re going to enter adulthood with. These are the friends that you literally live with.

4. Be thankful for your education.

A lot of people take it for granted, but a lot of people also can’t afford it. Have fun, but remember why you’re here. Don’t let your parents down, and don’t let yourself down.

5. Be thankful for the weekend.

Whether you spend most of your time in a random backyard/basement or in a dorm watching movies, enjoy the brief period of relaxation, it won’t last long.

6. Be thankful for having such a small campus.

While we complain about having to walk all the way to Hyland or Leahy, my mom had to take a 20 minute train to get to one of her classes.

7. Be thankful for the dining hall.

Be thankful that it’s actually real food. I have friends at other schools that would rather go bankrupt eating out every day than eat in their dining hall. Which is convenient for us, because Scranton has like, five restaurants.

8. Be thankful for your siblings.

When I tell people I have 3 brothers, the response is somewhere along the lines of “oh god you poor thing”, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

9. Be thankful for your grandparents, whether they’re still around or not.

I am beyond thankful to have been able to spend 17 years with my grandma, and the only thing I would trade it for is a few more years. Cherish every moment with them, especially if they’re sparse because they live on a boat somewhere.

10. Be thankful for the little things in life.

Be thankful for really good music, a perfectly made coffee, when someone lets you know they were thinking about you, that friend you find that is basically another you.