Before students leave a dust trail behind them as they head out of town, everyone should be informed of a little known fact- Thanksgiving Break is the worst time of the semester.

As students load up their laundry and pack up every book they have to finish the assigned readings for the semester everyone should be prepared for what is waiting for them at home.

As you pull into your parents’ driveway your mom will be waiting for a welcome home hug. Your family will be excited to see you but don’t let this fool you.

In reality, they are simply excited because they have a to-do list for you they have been saving since Fall Break. The Christmas decorations will need to be brought up from the basement and every leaf that was on the trees in August when you left is now on your yard. This is now your responsibility. Once the leaves are to the curb and the boxes of musty Christmas decorations have been recovered from the deep end of the basement you must go to work.

Your boss is aware you are home for the week and has no idea that you have papers, readings, laundry and chores. They have scheduled you to work almost every day, including the infamous Black Friday. Despite being a slave to your family and your job for the week, you will also be bombarded with greetings from people you have not seen since the summer.

Even though these individuals act like you have fallen off the face of the earth for the last three months, they will pretend like they are interested in your life and they would love to catch up.

You will smile awkwardly in the dairy aisle of the grocery store because your mom made you run to the store to get some milk. You will give the two-tap hug then try to get away as quickly as possible to find refuge in your room to complete your homework. However, they will ask you to come over later to say hello to the family and to chat about how your semester has been.

While listening to your former acquaintance talk for three hours about their grand adventures at their private school you will use the infamous excuse of having to get home for dinner with your family to halt the agony.

You will then find yourself at home with your family. Eating the most food you have had in weeks, stretching your stomach to the point of pain. By the end of break, your siblings will have driven you up the wall, you will have butted heads with your parents’ authority and you will never be happier to return to school to see Old Main lined with lights as you have finally reached your happy place again.

Kayleigh Zyskowski is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-7942 or [email protected].