5 Things to Look Forward to Over Thanksgiving Break

I don't know about you but this week before Thanksgiving feels like the longest week of the semester. Some would argue that the week before the end of the semester is worse but honestly, we have finals so I don't think it even compares to this week where you don't feel productive at all.

One thing that almost always helps me get through long days or long weeks are things to look forward to! Here are the top 5 things (though there are countless more) that I am looking forward to next week.

1. Seeing my family. I haven't been home since the beginning of August and let me tell you that it is so incredibly rough. I have plans to shop with my sister, catch up on favorite TV shows with my dad and my mom and I are hair salon bound the day I get home.

2. Catching up with old friends. My two closest friends go to a different school and while we try to see each other during the semester, somehow our schedules never seem to align. I use my week home for Thanksgiving to spend time with people I love. 

3. Going shopping on Black Friday. For those of you that don't know, the shopping in Statesboro is essentially obsolete. I can't wait to take advantage of my mall back home to find a dress or two for winter date nights and a few comfy power outfits for finals.

4. Eating all the incredible food. It's Thanksgiving. Enough said. 

5. Saying no to school work. Now unfortunately, I will have to do a little bit of studying for finals but I am looking forward to vegging out instead of blistering my fingers in the library. Hello Netflix, here I come. 

How To Balance School Life and Home Life

Being away at school can be a really tough transition to have to make. Every year I go back to school I know that I have problems adjusting to being back at school and without my parents. There are ways to balance homesickness though and I want to share a few tips with you.

1. Don't make it a point to go home weekly: A little bit of homesickness never hurt anyone. Sometimes it hurts just as much to keep re-opening the wound. You can never get seriously adjusted to your college campus if you are breaking to go home every weekend. It's great to take some time and see your friends and family back home, but also remember that you are trying to make new friends at school too.

2. Do things: It's easy to get homesick when you are stuck in your room all day and not actually doing anything of value. Get involved on campus, have dinner with your roommate, go to a party if you have to, get out of your room and do something fun. Homesickness will come if you are not supressing it with activity.

3. Realize you aren't alone: You are by far not the first person to ever feel homesickness, nor will you be the last. I am almost certain that you have a friend or two that is feeling the same level of sadness as you for their friends and families back home. Instead of suffering silently make sure you are lamenting together.

4. Utilize Skype/Facetime/phone calls: You have wonderful devices that can connect you to your parents and friends. Use them, but don't overuse them. Dedicate some time daily, weekly, whatever to calling your family and friends back home. Don't make the mistake and not call them, you want a life, but you still want your family and friends to be a part of it.

I hope these tips have helped you as you fight to balance your school life and your home life this year!