Thanksgiving break is a glorious time for college students, however, our expectations of how the week should go don't always match up to what actually happens.
1. Sleep
Expectation: We except to sleep, a lot. We have most likely been suffering from sleep deprivation for the past few months, so it is our duty to our bodies to give them want they want more than anything: rest. Nothing sounds better after weeks of late night studying and too much coffee than the comfort of our own beds. We intend to sleep in every morning, as well as to take multiple naps throughout the course of the day. The only thing that is going to separate us from our beds in the morning is if someone decides to drag us out against our own free will.
Reality: Our bodies' natural alarm clocks buzz right on time with our normal school schedules. If you have class at 8:00 a.m., you can bet that you will be up by 7:30 a.m. sharp even without having set your alarm clock. And if this doesn't wake up you, your dog and/or mom are sure to do the job. Naps get pushed aside to fit in all of the Thanksgiving week festivities. Eight hours of sleep may be harder to achieve than any of us have ever realized.
2. Working Out
Expectation: We are motivated to not gain and extra 10 pounds over the holidays, so of course we are going to workout! No matter what the weather, we will make it a point to run, do some yoga, and even tread to the gym if we have to. Thanksgiving dinner is not going to get the best of us this year!
Reality: If laying on the couch and Black Friday shopping count as working out, then we have our bases covered. But in all honestly, we decide that our bodies deserve a break and that they will probably thank us later... or hate us when we try to run a few miles again after three days of Thanksgiving food stuffed in our stomachs. But it will all be worth it. Right?
3. Eating
Expectation: Sure, Thanksgiving is full of wonderful food and tons of leftovers, but we will be sure not to overeat this year. Think of it as conserving energy for Black Friday shopping and avoiding having to buy the next size up in pants. Here's the plan: we will only get one plate of seconds and only eat one piece of pumpkin pie instead of half of the pan. Self control: 10/10.
Reality: Half of a pound of turkey, three rolls, two serving of mashed potatoes, a mountain of green bean casserole, and four pieces of pumpkin pie later...We will try harder next year. But for now, where are the leftovers?
4. Money
Expectation: We know that Christmas is coming up, so when we go Black Friday shopping we should look for the best deals on gifts for our friends and families. We are going to get plenty for Christmas this year, so we don't really need to buy ourselves that sweater that we have been eyeing for the past month. We are going to be the masters of selfless spending. Maybe we won't even spend that much money this year.
Reality: Well...we bought myself that sweater we had been eyeing, and a pair of boots, and something that resembles a scarf, but it was 50% off so it was a completely reasonable purchase! And we got a gift for Mo- oh wait. Never mind. That sweaters our as well. We are officially $200 poorer.
5. School
Expectation: We have a plan to at least get some school work done over break. After all, finals are only weeks away and we have that daunting cumulative physiology exam hanging over our heads. We could even get a head start on that reflection paper due next week since it shouldn't take that long to write. We definitely are going to be productive this break!
Reality: It's Thanksgiving break, why should we stress our minds out anymore? Sunday night before classes resume will roll around and we may kick ourselves over an assignment that we forgot was due tomorrow, but we will still be thankful for the break from school that we had, and the time that we got to spend with our friends and families.
How many days are there until Christmas break?
