There are a few things that make Thanksgiving the wonderful holiday it is. Thanksgiving also symbolizes the fact that first semester is ending; something that I, as a college freshman, thought was still weeks away. But, for a few days, I am going to stuff my face and put myself into a food coma. Maybe that will help me forget about impending deadlines for papers, and the fact that I may fail all of my finals.
Some of the signature Thanksgiving traditions are what draw college students home every fall, while other things make them question if they really want to go home. But, Thanksgiving is all about the 3 F's: family, football, and food.
I am sure you can relate to this Thanksgiving starter pack.
1. That car/train/plane ride home.
However long your commute home is, I am sure you spend the whole time dreaming of the wonderful smells that fill the kitchen on Thanksgiving day.
2. That feeling when you finally get your hometown geotag on snapchat.
As you get closer to home, you start getting the geotags that you recognize. Then, you get your small town geotag that some kid in your high school probably made. Sure, my hometown geotag is kind of, SUPER lame. But still, once you see the geotag, you are truly home.
3. Walking into your house without having to swipe your ID at the proctor station.
When you have to prove that you live there, every time you want to go into your room, it doesn't really feel like home. Being able to eat a meal without swiping your ID, that's also a perk, you know.
4. Walking into your kitchen on Thanksgiving morning, and it's kind of like Christmas morning.
Sure, you aren't getting presents. But, who says that stuffing, sweet potatoes, and apple pie aren't presents. Seeing your mom with a whisk in hand is always a good sign. So, celebrate Thanksgiving because it also means that we're one day closer to Christmas!!!
5. Time for the family - cue the cheek-pinching aunt.
Sure, family is great and all. But sometimes it is better in small doses. But Thanksgiving means everything comes served family style - aka LARGE PORTIONS. We may thankful for that when its food, but you can only take so much of your aunt who KEEPS pinching your cheeks like you're 4 years old.
6. THE NEVER ENDING QUESTIONS.
What's your major? What classes are you taking? Do you have a job yet? How are your grades? Are you having fun at college? Do you have a boyfriend? What did you eat for dinner last Thursday? What was your best exam grade?
7. When it's finally time to EAT.
After a long day of dodging questions, being tortured by the smell of food, and counting down the hours/minutes until dinner time, it's finally time to eat. This is the best part of the day, even if you have been eating throughout the whole day. Stuff your face like the world is ending tomorrow. In a couple days, you're going back to that nasty dining hall stuff they call food.
8. After the meal, you're stuck in a food coma.
I don't know about you, but this food coma tends to last for a couple of hours in my case. You haven't eaten like this in a looong time, at least since you got to college. But, when you think you "can't eat anymore", keep eating. Push yourself outside of your comfort zone. Thanksgiving day eating is like training - it builds character.
Everyone's Thanksgiving day traditions are different. But, take the day to enjoy some good company and some even better food. If you're struggling midday, maybe if you eat enough, you won't be able to hear your grandma's questions about your future.
Remember, Thanksgiving day is like a marathon. You can't start out sprinting, remember to pace yourself because you DO NOT want to be that runner who sits down in the middle of the race, yelling " I CAN'T DO IT".
Oh, pro tip: remember to wear something that covers that food baby.
