Even More Reasons College Freshmen Look Forward to Thanksgiving Break

Many of those students who were stressing over college applications exactly a year ago are finally coming home for a well-deserved Thanksgiving break.

And they may have more on their plates than turkey and mashed potatoes.

First, there's the readjustment to house rules.  

It shouldn't come as a surprise that college students revel in their new-found independence.  Curfew is no longer a concept they care to understand.

But now that the family is back together, Mom is really excited about reconnecting and continuing a dialogue that abruptly stopped a couple of months ago.  

Dad expects you to fall back into the rhythm of the household and re-assume your role in the family.  Remember you're in charge of the trash and your sister needs a ride to her piano lesson.

There will be no less than one thousand questions about what you've been doing and who you've been doing it with.

And chances are that a failing long distance relationship  will meet its end over Thanksgiving break.  

In fact, so many freshman couples split over Thanksgiving weekend that college administrators have dubbed the phenomenon, the “Turkey Drop.”

"You're a cad if you break up around Christmas. And then there's New Year's — and you can't dump somebody right around New Year's. After that, if you don't jump on it, is Valentine's Day," according to sex advice columnist Dan Savage. "God forbid if their birthday should fall somewhere between November and February—then you're really stuck. Thanksgiving is really when you have to pull the trigger if you're not willing to tough it out through February."

But absent any pending romantic traumas, college freshmen may actually be a little homesick and welcome the tender loving care that comes with a few days at home.

And while Mom’s cooking and a clean bathroom rank high on the lists of reasons why freshmen look forward to the holiday, it might surprise prospective college students how much life changes and why home looks pretty good after a couple of months in a residence hall.

For those who wonder, here are a few excellent reasons college freshmen look forward to coming home for Thanksgiving:

• At home, mashed potatoes and stuffing aren’t served with an ice cream scoop.
• As long as mom is in charge, you won’t run out of underwear.
• It’s unlikely that dad will schedule a midnight fire drill or set off the smoke detector for fun.
• No one will ask to borrow your class notes, calculus book, DVD, or iPod.
• You won’t be sleeping on the common room sofa because your roommate is “entertaining.”
• There’s no need to wear flip flops in the shower or worry about who’s using your soap.
• Mom isn’t likely to prank you.
• You don’t have to pole vault into a bed lofted 2 feet above your head.
• No one will walk off with your toothpaste.
• Your sheets will have been washed within the past two months.
• You don’t have to carry on a conversation with a person in the next stall.
• Laundry facilities may be available other than between 3 and 4 am; quarters or other forms of payment should not be required.
• Access to a car should be within the realm of possibility.
• You don’t have to put on a coat and trek across the lawn in the freezing cold for breakfast.
• The party down the hall probably won’t go on all night.
• The furry creature under your bed is most likely the family cat and not a 3-month accumulation of dust bunnies.
• A student ID will not be required to get in the house or gain access to your bedroom.
• It’s unlikely that anyone in your family will bang on your door after midnight and want to “talk.”
• Earplugs won’t be necessary to block out your roommate’s loud music, snoring, and/or video games.

And for better or worse, Thanksgiving dinner will not be served on a slightly damp plastic tray.

Welcome home to all those who are fortunate enough to get there!

 Image from Jelene's Photostream on Flickr