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10 Reasons Thanksgiving Break isn’t All it’s Cracked Up to Be

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Conn chapter.

As we get closer and closer to our Thanksgiving break, the excitement around the UConn campus is hard to miss. Everywhere you turn it seems like Thanksgiving break is all students have on their minds, whether they are making plans with friends and family, checking countdowns on their phones or fantasizing about Thanksgiving dinner. While this is a valid sentiment – we have been here since August – despite all our elaborate planning, school breaks never seem to go as planned. 

1. You get home only to find that your friends are still at school.

Especially since UConn students get to leave almost a week before Thanksgiving, embrace yourself for a whole lot of Netflix.

2. Your parents aren’t about that “all-night” curfew.

What are we supposed to do trapped at home past 12 AM? 

3. You don’t get any schoolwork done.

A week, or “nine days”, without classes? Imagine the homework you can get done! While this is a good idea, it’s just one that never seems to becomes a reality. 

4. Your family wants to know every detail about your personal life. 

I dream of the day when my family understands that no, I haven’t met Geno Auriemma and no, I don’t have a boyfriend and no, I still don’t know what I’m going to do with my life.

5. It ends up being the year your family tries new healthier recipes for Thanksgiving.

Many moms have tried for years to provide a healthier lifestyle for their family but did it have to start this break? While some people love ToFurkey, it’s just not for everyone.

6. Or, all your hard work from going to our beloved Rec Center gets wiped away. 

You arrive at Thanksgiving dinner prepared to eat responsibly and —wait, actually, can someone pass the turkey? And stuffing? And a little more corn bread?b  Okay, a lot more cornbread. How about seconds on everything? 

7. Your parents give you extra chores to make up for your time away.

It’s been great living in a dorm – no need to make your bed, vacuum, or dust, and washing the dishes is practically obsolete. Unfortunately, that is not gonna fly with the ‘rents.

8. You get trampled at Black Friday shopping.

Are you ready for this? Doesn’t matter. If you’re waiting in a line for a store opening, when the time rolls around, you better be prepared to defend yourself against the crowd of crazed Black Friday shoppers.

9. Or, more likely, you end up sleeping through it.

Every year you think that this is the year you’re finally going to wake up bright and early to get the best Black Friday deals. Don’t beat yourself up for falling asleep though, that turkey is basically equivalent a heavy dose of NyQuil. 

10.  You realize it’s Sunday night and you have to go back to UConn.

When you get leave UConn on Friday it seems like the break week ahead is a whole year. However, by the time Sunday night rolls around you’ll realize that a week is only a week and – OMG – you didn’t get anything done! 

Thanksgiving break might not be what you expected but there’s good news, too. You get to see your loved ones and take a much-needed and deserved break. There’s always that to be thankful for. Oh! And pie. Lots of pie.Â