As the last week before Thanksgiving approaches, I have had time to reflect on the meaning of being thankful. Amongst the swamps of 15-page essays and exams that leave me puffy-eyed the next morning, it becomes tough to remember how fortunate I am.

I love being able to gripe about the massive amounts of assignments that I have to complete, and that my professors don't seem to understand me. However, it is healthy and wonderful to know what great opportunities that I have been given and will continue to receive. The excitement of college sometimes becomes lost amongst the craziness of fitting in on your floor and finding housing assignments for next year. It becomes overwhelming to think about anything else. However, I believe that Thanksgiving should serve as the time to reflect on how much you have accomplished no matter what year in college you are in.

Being in college is an ideal time of your life that will not be similar to any other four years down the road. While it is a chance to explore, you must make sure that you are still aware of you who really are. There is a time and place for change and discovering new and exciting possibilities that can make you a better person. But take this time during Thanksgiving to understand that you do not have to change everything about yourself in order to consider your college experience a success.

If there is something that you used to be really involved in during high school, and you strayed away during your college years, take the time to ask yourself if you want to pick it up again. Of course it's great to go out and try new activities, but do not forget the stepping-stones that built you into who you are.

We are in a fantastic place where there is a world of opportunity right at our fingertips. Don't let that overwhelm you. Now that I am in my junior year, I have faced several crossroads in my life, and it has become difficult at some points to determine which direction I want to head in. Asking myself what would make me happy has become one of the most difficult questions I have ever posed internally. However, the great thing about entering college is that when you are faced with all these opportunities, you learn the responsibility of pursuing the activities that will make you happy, instead of just trying to fit in and blend with the crowd.

So now that you are home feasting away on your turkey, reconnecting with friends and relatives, reabsorbing yourself in the world that made you 'you', apply that happiness that you have there to your newer life at college. It is never too late to restart an old hobby, or pursue one of your ultimate goals. Whether it be new or familiar, just remember the most important question: will this make you happy?

College is, above all, a time to be selfish. So as your parents pick you up, or you hop on that MegaBus for the holidays, trying to hide how excited you are to be going home, take stock of your life and find what is missing. But, as a reminder, if you truly do feel content, don't shy away from that feeling. There is nothing wrong with being happy where you are. Be selfish. Take your chance and be happy. So by the time that you return to campus, maybe a little bit plumper than when you left, get ready to embrace the happiness that is waiting for you, and the possibilities that you can pursue at a moment's notice.