As turkey roasts in ovens, the smell of fresh pumpkin pie fills kitchens, and students and faculty are surrounded by loved ones, Thanksgiving break is welcomed with open arms.
Thanksgiving is not just a holiday for enjoying meals and seeing family, but a time for rest and relaxation before the chaos of finals week. For some students, Thanksgiving break is their first time back at home since the beginning of the semester.
According to Psychology Today, being back at home can bring challenges to both students and parents, including “shifts” in “family dynamics.” The article discussed how important it is for parents to remember their children can change while living away from home.
With the end of the semester just weeks away, studying for exams can be exhausting for students and implementing a break is crucial in keeping Bobcats motivated.
Kelly Prim, a junior studying commercial photography, is close with her family and said being surrounded by her biggest supporters helps her prepare for the exam season.
“Personally, I struggle with my mental health,” Prim said. “Being able to go back home and see family and take that relaxing moment with everybody really does help … it also gives me more time to study for finals.”
Thanksgiving traditions have evolved through history and there are several reasons why families today gather around the table and enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal.
It is important for people who celebrate to recognize the holiday’s origins. For those experiencing Thanksgiving for the first time, learning about the different traditions can be fascinating.
Ohio University’s International Studies program strives to educate and welcome international students to the Athens area. According to the website, all students are encouraged to “communicate across cultures” and “collaborate” to create change.
During the holiday season, OU is home to several international students. Angy Possetti, a graduate student studying linguistics, is from Buenos Aires, Argentina, but was raised in Rosario. Possetti has never experienced a Thanksgiving celebration but has heard about different Thanksgiving traditions through friends.
“I know from movies they eat turkey and mashed potatoes but that is it,” Possetti said. “‘What are you going to do for Thanksgiving?’ People ask me and I do not know because (my family does) not usually celebrate.”
Possetti plans to have dinner with the other Latin American and international students. Although she misses family, she looks forward to trying traditional American foods.
“I had a lot of pumpkin during Halloween … we do not have that,” Possetti said. “I would like to try some turkey and other foods.”
For students who live far, traveling home can be a complicated process and staying on campus may be the only option.
Luckily, Nelson Court on South Green will be open throughout the break for the first time in several years. Students with a meal plan can pick up a sack meal between 12 and 2 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and can submit their preferences through an order form.
In addition, the dining hall will be open Wednesday to Saturday for both lunch and dinner service. A traditional Thanksgiving buffet will be offered on the official holiday.
Autumn Ryder, the director of culinary services, said Nelson is not usually open during Thanksgiving break, but this year the staff teamed up with OU housing to get the official number of residential students staying on campus.
“For us, this is going to be a pilot thing to see how successful it is,” Ryder said. “It is a ghost town on campus during this time … so it is just something we wanted to try out and see if it is worth providing that service.”
Because Ryder lives in Athens, she plans to work on Thanksgiving. However, other culinary staff had the option to volunteer or take time off.
“Some students, especially international students, they have never maybe experienced something like this,” Ryder said. “So to showcase what a Thanksgiving feast is (and) what Thanksgiving is all about … I am actually excited.”
Whether enjoying a home-cooked or dining hall meal, celebrating Thanksgiving surrounded by friends and family is vital for both students and faculty to remain happy amid the end of the semester.
