That wonderful time of year has finally arrived when we college students get to go home for a few days and eat delicious food. For just a few blissful days, we don't have to worry about getting up for class, or, if you live in a dorm like me, hearing your annoying neighbors at all hours of the night.

Most of us have worked hard this semester, and we get to come back to a brutal week of presentations and papers before heading into finals. So we deserve a break. But if you're anything like me, you keep thinking about all the due dates coming up right after it, and wondering if Thanksgiving break will really be a break at all. So here are three easy tips that I hope will ensure you have a fun, relaxing Thanksgiving yet still get everything done that you need to do.

1. Find Out What You're Up Against

Before you start packing for home, take a look at the syllabus for each class and put the dates of all remaining tests/presentations/paper due dates, etc., in your planner, phone, or wherever you prefer and know you won't lose them. If you're super organized and you already have these dates written down, look over them again. Before letting yourself get too stressed, find out exactly how many assignments you have left to do and how much time after Thanksgiving break you'll have to do them. Also get an idea of how much time each one will take to complete.

2. Get the Easy Stuff Out of the Way

Once you've figured out what all you have to do, knock out any assignments that won't take up too much of your time before the break. For example, if you have a foreign language class with activities on iLrn or you have any other short online activities that aren't overly time-consuming, try to get those out of the way so you'll have a sense of accomplishment and know going into the break that you got something done at least.

3. Set Aside Certain Times During the Break for Homework

You might be different, but personally, I find that when I attempt to do homework while also enjoying a Christmas movie or some other fun activity with my family over Thanksgiving Break, it never goes well. I don't end up getting much done and it diminishes the quality of the fun I'm trying to have. So unless you're really good at multitasking, or you're confident that you don't need to study over the break at all, I suggest scheduling blocks of time just for school work, with none of them on the actual holiday. If you're really focused, you'll probably be surprised at how much more you can get done than when your attention is divided. And that way you'll have more time to devote entirely to family, friends, and food.

So there you have it, three basic tips to help you have a productive yet relaxing Thanksgiving break. But if these don't work for you or you just don't want to bother with school work over the break, don't sweat it too much. Thanksgiving is about spending time with the people you love and remembering all the things you have to be thankful for.

The time between Thanksgiving break and winter break probably will be even more stressful if you're rushing to get everything done at the last minute, but if it's not your first year in college and you have done that before you know that it will probably be okay anyway. Besides, life's too short to be obsessing over your grades 24/7.