October 24 and 25 make up this year’s annual Family Weekend, where parents, siblings, and extended family flock to campus to visit you and all that Gettysburg has to offer. While the activities are primarily catered to them, you get some perks yourself!
1. Personally Delivered Care Packages
Regardless of which family members are visiting, you are sure they’ll be coming with an overwhelming amount of homemade goodies for you. Cookies, brownies, all these mouth watering sweets that you have been anticipating. Mom suprises you with a new article of clothing? Just what you needed. Little surprises are always bound to come with family weekend.
2. A Little Break From Servo
Sometimes we can hardly contain our excitement to eat at servo, but family weekend definitely entails a dinner or two out on the town. Whether it be at The Pub & Restaurant, Blue and Gray Bar & Grill, or the abundance of other options, this is a much needed getaway. Wings, and pizza, and burgers, oh my!
3. Showing Your Family Around Campus
It’s no surprise that as a Gettysburg student you are always eager to show off our campus anyone and everyone who comes to visit. Flaunting the beauty of campus is always a fun hobby to do during your free time on parents weekend. Of course, your family members are always interested in seeing where all your classes are held. Whether it be showing them the castle-like Glatfelter Hall or the White House-replica Breidenbaugh, you are proud to call this your campus.
4. Family, Meet My Friends
While they’ve heard the countless stories about all the new people you have met at college, they have yet to meet them all. This is the big reveal, the big introduction, and the collision of college friends with your family. You’re hopeful your friends keep quiet about all your not-so-angelic moments, and that Mom doesn’t slip out an embarrassing childhood story.
5. Showing Your Family A Good Time
You’ve been away from home for quite some time now, and Mom and Dad are not on your case about what you’re doing 24/7. With that being said, you can’t wait to show them a good time! Whether it be attending a football game or some other event going on, you’re hopeful that there is still a little bit of college somewhere in your parents.
6. Next Stop, Hotel Room
Another one of the best parts of this weekend is having the opportunity to use their hotel room. Whether it be to sleep in a big, plush bed, or use their shower, their room is up and running for business. Don’t forget that you haven’t been under the same roof as them in a while, so this gives you the chance to have some much needed down time with your family.
7. Bookstore Shopping Spree
It’s always a given that when family arrives on campus, the bookstore is a mandatory stop. Not only do all your family members stock up on apparel, but hey, why not throw in a couple extra shirts for yourself? You’re making out like a bandit because we all know how precious a college students potentially collapsing bank account can be after one too many trips to Pizza House.
8. Reconnecting With Home
As fun and exciting as all the activities and “to-do’s” are that family weekend has to offer, one of the best parts is being able to hear all that has happened at home. Of course these conversations are often times dragged on, and your family could talk for hours, but it’s nice to hear about how things are going when you’re away. It’s a time when your family can keep you up-to-date on the news back at home, and you can fill them in on your life away. Family weekend most definitely gives you several days that make you feel at home all over again.