The moment we've all been waiting for is finally arriving: Thanksgiving break! Since we left our homes after fall break finished, we counted the days, weeks, hours, minutes, and maybe even seconds until we would see our home beds once more. But with only four to five days for peace of mind, it's essential to utilize this break effectively. Here are the five best ways to spend your Thanksgiving break:

1. Sleeping

Obviously we have been spending all of our time at school either doing copious, never ending amounts of homework, or partying on the weekends. Between having a social life and maintaining a decent GPA, there is literally no time to sleep. Make sure you spend this break catching up on your sleep or relaxing on your bed or couch to make up for all of the stress of school work and your social life. Even when your family demands spending quality time with you, fall asleep on the couch and take a quick cat nap in between helping your mom in the kitchen or your grandmother with the latest crossword puzzle. Make sure you have enough time for yourself this break.

2. Self Pampering

I'm sure your cuticles have grown to the actual size of your nails and the left over nail polish on your nails is from three weeks ago. Your hair probably has at least two inches of dead ends and split ends to go along with it. Your toes don't even have polish on them anymore, and your skin is so dry that it's chafing. Spend this break taking care of all of the necessities of being a human by getting your dead ends trimmed off and getting your nails done so you can start to look somewhat normal again. Even though a full spa day may seem exhausting, you can't beat the feeling of getting your hair washed by another person and you certainly miss that lovely foot massage that your pedicurist never forgets.

3. Spending Time with your Family

No matter how dysfunctional your family is, you know they're always there for you no matter what. Since you will inevitably spend this break with your family (hence Thanksgiving break), make sure you spend as much time with them as you can. Your family may drive you crazy sometimes, but they are your family and they love seeing you almost as much as you may not want to see them. Your family is so excited to see you, so don't blow them off and be too cool, hang out with them and suffer through the insignificant football games so you can spend quality time with them. It's easy to take your family for granted, so this year give them the love and respect that they deserve.

4. Shopping

Okay so maybe Black Friday isn't the best example, but shopping over Thanksgiving break means great discounts and all of the new winter clothes you've been craving. The new wardrobe you plan to buy for yourself will be the perfect way to head back to school with a new found motivation to get through finals, and style. This is also the perfect opportunity to get a head start on your holiday shopping, considering the winter holiday season already began November 1. Because of the amazing discounts and great selection, it's always a good idea to get your holiday shopping out of the way early, especially since you won't be back for winter break until a few days before Christmas and almost weeks after Hanukkah has seen its eight days. Don't procrastinate on your presents, get a head start on this year's holiday shopping.

5. Eating

This may be the most important part of your Thanksgiving break. The delicious food made by all of your family members will make for all of your meals over break if we're including leftovers. This, followed by home cooked meals by your parents before the holiday begins acts as your own slice of heaven that can't be ignored. This Thanksgiving break forget your low carb, sugar free diet and consume every single food item that is put out in front of you. You will never regret eating your grandmother's stuffing or your aunt's famous cranberry sauce. So dig in! This special food holiday should put you right into that sleeping comma that you desperately need.

So this Thanksgiving break, enjoy the company that comes with your family and their special food creations, followed by a lovely 12-hour sleep. Don't spend your Thanksgiving break doing anything you don't want to do and enjoy relaxing before your final push towards the end of the semester!