By Sayuri Vargas-Hernandez, Contributing Writer
After long weeks of attending classes, meetings, and studying for exams, students need time to relax, sleep, and spend time with their loved ones. Thanksgiving is a perfect time for students to enjoy homemade meals and spend quality time with their loved ones, while also preparing for finals.
Thanksgiving is a very traditional holiday, and many students celebrate it differently. Some gather with family and friends to give thanks for all the good things in their lives, while other students tend to stay on campus or plan fun trips with friends.
For instance, students travel back to their hometowns to reconnect with high school friends who are also back home for the break. Other students participate in family traditions such as cooking together, watching football or games, and attending fun events.
College students also take advantage of Black Friday to save money and do holiday shopping. It can include buying Christmas presents and supplies for the next semester.
It is also a time for students to recharge energy by sleeping or catching up on hobbies they couldn’t do throughout the semester because of academic responsibilities.
However, some students feel pressure during this time as they travel home, navigate family expectations, or worry about preparing for finals. For many international students, the weeklong Thanksgiving break is an opportunity to stay on campus and spend time with friends instead.
Given the distance, many college students face challenges traveling to their home countries, including the high cost of plane tickets and the limited time available during the break.
“During Thanksgiving break, instead of staying on campus by myself, I usually try to plan a trip with a friend or have someone come to visit me during that time; for example, my brother can come to visit me here,” according to Luzia Obermeier, a senior international student majoring in clinical and counseling psychology.
College students tend to feel stressed and anxious during the short Thanksgiving holiday, as the pressure of preparing for exams and projects can make students more worried about their grades and future plans.
Even though Thanksgiving can be challenging, it offers outstanding opportunities for joy and connection. It gives students a break from their busy lives and helps them reconnect with family and old friends.
By understanding both the benefits and challenges of Thanksgiving, college students can approach the holiday with a more balanced perspective.
