It’s Thanksgiving break -- a time to be with family, stuff my face with the most delicious food known to man, and briefly forget about the constant stress and anxiety that is college before going back to school to embark on the 6-day hell known as Finals Week. With that said, there are a few questions that I, and presumably thousands of college students across the country, get asked each Thanksgiving that not only keep us from enjoying the holiday, but also actually make us wish we’d never been born. So for the sake of my sanity, and the sanity of every college student in America, I’ve made a list of questions not to ask if you want us to get through Thanksgiving alive.
1. "How's school going?"
When you’re a freshman, it’s just an annoying question you’ve answered so many times you have your response memorized. But the older you get, the more stressed you get when asked the very same question. What do you mean how is school? I’m a senior trying to earn a degree so I can get a job, even though I’m not really sure how to adult and nothing about the real world is even the slightest bit appealing. I’m a vessel of stress and this question only adds to it. Stop asking me how school is. Chances are it probably sucks.
2. "How are your grades?"
Mom and Dad: I love you both more than you know and words will never be enough when explaining how very thankful I am for your constant love and support. But so help me, if you ask how my grades are one more time, I am going to physically pick up the turkey and throw it out the dining room window. The last thing I want to talk about on Thanksgiving, the week before finals start, is my GPA. The very word “grades” is enough to make me want to vomit and run away. Don’t even mention it.
3. "Are you seeing anyone?"
Actually I am in a relationship… with stress. It is the week before finals and I’m just looking to get some good grades, not a boyfriend. Besides, if by some miracle I am seeing someone, you would hear my victory cries before my car ever leaves Chattanooga.
4. "Wait, your major is still Women's Studies?"
Unless “Netflix” has been added to UTC’s list of offered majors, I am still a Women’s Studies major. It’s been my major for over a year now and is what I will get my degree in. If I have to answer that question one more time, I will actually lose my mind.
5. "What are your plans after college?"
I can barely get my life together enough to not wear the same shirt two days in a row. Grad school is the last thing on my mind right now. And law school? Dream big. I’m just trying get through the next two weeks without having a nervous breakdown. Don’t even ask me about the future.
If you can survive all of Thanksgiving break without being asked these questions, and a million others like them, consider yourself lucky. If not… well… here’s to hoping you at least get to drink your way through the holidays.
