Douglas Olsen
Thanksgiving is a time for family connection and comfort, and for many students, it is the first time they return home since starting university. While some students eagerly anticipate reuniting with their families, for others, returning home is not always possible due to financial constraints, academic obligations, or other circumstances. For international students, the idea of Thanksgiving may not resonate, and they may prefer to stay on campus. Universities can support their students by providing the option of staying in university housing with access to meals during the break, and by organizing Thanksgiving events for those who remain on campus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons for not returning home | Financial constraints, academic obligations, or other circumstances |
| Impact on students | Stress, homesickness, loneliness, and a sense of missing out on family traditions |
| Impact on parents | Disappointment |
| Benefits of returning home | Family connection and comfort, home-cooked meals |
| Benefits of not returning home | Developing increased resilience and adaptability |
| Support for students who don't return home | Care packages, campus events, mental health resources |
| Support from universities | Option to stay in university housing for no additional cost, meals provided in dining halls or nearby locations |
| How families can help | Regular check-ins via phone calls, text messages, or video chats, open communication, flexibility in schedules |
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What You'll Learn
International students and their unique challenges
International students often face unique challenges during Thanksgiving, as they may not share the idea of celebrating this holiday and returning home. Some international students may prefer to stay on campus during the break, but they can be confronted with various difficulties, including the early closure and late opening of residence halls, as well as inadequate meal options. These issues can be further exacerbated by financial constraints, as the cost of travel and accommodation can be significant.
To address these challenges, international student organizations, such as the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB), have advocated for universities to provide free housing and meal options for international students during breaks. They have also emphasized the need for a positive change that ensures students' comfort and alleviates their concerns about budgeting and meal accessibility. Additionally, universities that keep their residence halls open during Thanksgiving, such as the University of Michigan, offer stability to students who may otherwise struggle during short breaks.
While some international students opt to remain on campus, others may choose to travel home for Thanksgiving. This decision can be influenced by factors such as financial constraints, academic obligations, or personal circumstances. For those who cannot go home, feelings of homesickness, loneliness, and a sense of missing out on family traditions can contribute to increased anxiety and depression. To mitigate these emotions, regular check-ins with loved ones through phone calls, text messages, or video chats can help bridge the distance.
Furthermore, colleges often organize Thanksgiving events for students who remain on campus, encouraging participation to foster a sense of belonging and enhance overall well-being. During this time, both parents and students can benefit from mental health resources offered by organizations like Active Minds and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). While it is natural to feel disappointed about not celebrating Thanksgiving together, this experience can foster personal growth and independence in students. Additionally, studies have shown that students who successfully navigate challenges, such as being away during holidays, develop increased resilience and adaptability.
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The benefits of campus celebrations
Celebrating Thanksgiving on campus can be a great option for university students, offering a range of benefits and a unique experience. Firstly, it can be a cost-effective choice. By staying on campus, students can avoid travel expenses such as gas, airfare, or unexpected costs. This saves money, which is beneficial for students on a tight budget. Additionally, not having to commute means more time for relaxation and preparation for upcoming exams or assignments. Students can use this extra time to organise their notes, plan their study schedule, and finish the semester strong.
Campus celebrations also provide an opportunity for students to bond and create lasting memories with their peers. With many roommates and classmates away for the break, those who stay back can enjoy having their dorm rooms and campus facilities all to themselves. They can indulge in fun activities like binge-watching movies, playing loud music, and dancing without worrying about disturbing others. It's also a chance to explore campus traditions and participate in special events organised by the university, such as Thanksgiving lunches, Friendsgiving events, art exhibits, concerts, and talent shows. These activities foster a sense of community and offer a unique and enjoyable way to celebrate the holiday.
For international students, in particular, staying on campus during Thanksgiving can be an excellent opportunity to immerse themselves in American culture and traditions. They can experience the holiday spirit by attending parades, enjoying festive meals, and sharing stories with classmates and faculty. Some universities even host international students, providing them with a warm and welcoming family environment to celebrate this special day.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, staying on campus for Thanksgiving was also encouraged by health authorities to limit the spread of the virus to family members and loved ones. Students were advised to practice standard COVID-19 precautions, such as social distancing, masks, and hand hygiene, and to participate in testing events before and after the break. These measures allowed students to celebrate safely and reduce the risk of infection during the holidays.
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Academic pressure and social life
For many students, the Thanksgiving break is a chance to return home and reconnect with family, friends, and traditions. However, it can also be a time of academic pressure and social adjustment. Here are some insights into the academic and social aspects of the Thanksgiving break for university students:
Academic Pressure
The transition to college academics can be challenging, especially for freshmen. Adjusting to new academic expectations and finding their footing in different subjects can be demanding. Students may feel uncertain about their grades and academic performance, which can cause stress and anxiety. The pressure to succeed academically can be intense, and some students may feel they need to spend their break preparing for upcoming assignments or exams. This can be particularly true for students with financial constraints, as they may feel the need to prioritize academic scholarships or grants.
Social Life
Thanksgiving break offers an opportunity for students to reconnect with their social lives back home. They may want to spend time with high school friends and catch up with people they haven't seen since leaving for college. This can be an important aspect of maintaining their sense of connection and community outside of the college environment. Additionally, students may have changed significantly since leaving for college, and their expectations and perceptions may have evolved. This can lead to a disconnect with family members, and it takes thought, care, empathy, and communication to navigate this new dynamic successfully.
Balancing Academic and Social Life
The Thanksgiving break provides a brief respite from the academic pressures of college life. Students may need to balance their time between relaxing, running errands, and socializing. A supportive and understanding approach from both parents and the university can help students thrive during this break. Universities can offer resources and activities to ensure students feel comfortable and included, whether they choose to go home or remain on campus. Additionally, universities can provide housing and meal options during breaks, addressing financial concerns and ensuring students' basic needs are met.
In conclusion, the Thanksgiving break presents a mix of academic pressure and social opportunities for university students. By offering support, maintaining open communication, and fostering campus engagement, both parents and universities can help students navigate this challenging but rewarding period in their academic journey.
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Reconnecting with family and friends
For many students, Thanksgiving is a time to return home and reconnect with family and friends. However, this is not always possible due to financial constraints, academic obligations, or other circumstances. For those who can't make it home, universities sometimes organise Thanksgiving celebrations to ensure students don't feel left out.
For students who are able to return home, it's important to remember that they may have changed since leaving for university. They will likely have been building a new community and finding their place within it, and their perceptions and expectations may have shifted. This can cause a disconnect between the student and their family, but this can be avoided with thought, care, empathy, and communication.
Students may arrive home feeling physically and mentally drained from the pressures of academic life, socialising, and newfound independence. It's important to give them some extra downtime during the break to help them relax and reset. Let them sleep in, lounge around, and enjoy some freedom from their college routine.
While they will likely want to spend time with family, they may also have plans to reconnect with high school friends. It's a good idea to give them space to reconnect with home at their own pace, whether that means relaxing, running errands, or catching up with old friends. A low-key approach can help them feel comfortable and truly at home.
Thanksgiving break is typically just a few days, so it's best not to fill every moment with activities and obligations. Students will appreciate some flexibility in their schedule, and allowing them some downtime will help them feel rested and reconnected with their loved ones.
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The impact of a student's absence on family
For many families, Thanksgiving is a time for family connection and comfort, and the return of a child to the family home for the holidays can be a joyous occasion. However, a student's absence can have a significant impact on the family dynamic and can evoke a range of emotions for both the student and their family.
Firstly, a student's absence can cause feelings of homesickness, loneliness, and a sense of missing out on family traditions. This can be particularly challenging for first-year students who are still adjusting to college life and may be experiencing these feelings for the first time. The student may feel physically and mentally drained from the academic pressure, social life, and newfound independence of college. They may also be facing financial constraints or academic obligations that prevent them from returning home, adding to their stress and anxiety.
Additionally, the student's family may experience a sense of loss or disappointment during the holiday season. They may have to adjust their routines and expectations, as the student has likely changed and evolved during their time away, developing new self-perceptions and a sense of independence. The family may need to embrace this new phase with their returning student and be prepared for a potential disconnect between their expectations and the student's experiences and perceptions.
Furthermore, a student's absence can disrupt long-standing family traditions and routines associated with Thanksgiving. The family may need to adapt their holiday celebrations and find new ways to include the absent student, such as through regular check-ins via phone calls, text messages, or video chats. They may also need to be flexible and give the student space to reconnect with home at their own pace, allowing them to relax, run errands, or catch up with friends.
While a student's absence during Thanksgiving can be challenging, it can also foster personal growth and resilience. Studies have shown that students who successfully navigate challenging situations, such as being away from home during holidays, often develop increased resilience and adaptability. This can be an opportunity for the student to build their independence and for the family to offer unwavering support and maintain open communication.
Overall, a student's absence during Thanksgiving can have a significant emotional impact on both the student and their family. It can disrupt family traditions and routines, and cause feelings of homesickness and loneliness. However, with flexibility, communication, and support, families can help their absent student feel included and loved during the holiday season, fostering a sense of resilience and independence in the student.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the student's preference. Some students may want to come home for Thanksgiving to reconnect with family and friends, while others may prefer to stay on campus. International students, for example, may not share the idea of Thanksgiving and choose not to go back home.
Parents can help their university student feel comfortable and at home during their stay by giving them some extra downtime to relax and reset. They can also allow their student some flexibility in their schedule to reconnect with home at their own pace.
Parents can regularly check in with their student via phone calls, text messages, or video chats. They can also send their student a thoughtful care package to bring a piece of home to them. Additionally, parents can encourage their student to participate in campus activities to foster a sense of belonging and improve their overall well-being.
