The holidays are my favorite time of year. I see my family, friends and get to eat an actual, edible meal. There is, however, a sad truth about Thanksgiving break in specific. And every college student knows it, but they sit at home stuffing their face in a constant state of denial. But the thought of these next two weeks from hell never truly leaves our mind.
Thanksgiving break is equal to that really bad night you have when you wake up in an unfamiliar place next to an unfamiliar face. You have six missed class from your best friend and one from the bar to come pick up your card and close your tab. It was all fun in the moment until you had to walk back to your house barefoot in denial to the fact that you have to deal with the consequences of your actions.
This week is strangely similar considering I try not to think about the papers, homework and impending finals slowly coming upon me. I know every college student is the same. It's such a tease because in only two weeks we will be back for a month for Christmas. But those two weeks though... S.O.S. The drive back to school on the Sunday after always comes with nostalgia and maybe a few tears.
I always dread the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. I feel like they never, never end. If I hear one more high schooler complaining about this time of year I will honestly just lay under my pile of papers, study guides and exams and never come back up. And the sad truth is... some of us never actually get up.
As terrible as the aftermath of Thanksgiving may be, that time spent with family is worth it to me. It's the best feeling to come home and see those who care about you the most and spend some quality time with them. At the end of the day, your family is going to be there for you no matter what. No matter what decisions you make or where life takes you, they will be there for you when no one else is.
That is usually what gets me through the weeks of hell between Thanksgiving and Christmas break. The fact that I get to go spend a month at home with nothing to worry about-- no exams, papers or studying. Just quality time with the family and good food. I just got to push through a little longer.
So, to all the college students out there about to face the worst two weeks of their lives: Good luck. Trust in the coffee and late night snacks (or other methods to stay awake) and believe in yourself. You got this.
