Author: Jeremy Candelas

 

Contrary to popular belief, Thanksgiving is not just an American holiday dedicated to stuffing one’s face with turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. This may come as a shock to some, but Thanksgiving is also a time to be thankful for friends, family, and all that we have. Cornell students will likely be particularly thankful for the long break just before finals season, but many may find themselves wondering exactly how they should fill all of their newfound free time.

1. Take part in a Turkey Trot

 

 

You’re going to have to burn off those calories somehow, so you might as well join the rest of the crowd in a quick 5K run to do it. Although, you might have to run a few of these to actually put a dent in your calorie count for the week.

 

2. Watch football with friends and family

 

 

Can you really say you enjoyed Thanksgiving break if you didn’t watch at least one of the games going on this Thursday? Even if you’re not a huge pigskin fan, you can’t pass up watching America’s new favorite pastime (sorry baseball fans).

 

3. Study

 

 

Thanksgiving break is a valuable time to get ready for finals. Set aside a few hours each day to devote to locking yourself up in your room to study for your Orgo final. Kidding, of course. No one actually does this… Right?

 

4. Catch up on your favorite TV series

 

 

Let’s be honest, the Netflix to studying ratio will be pretty unbalanced over the next few days. To be fair though, this is really the only time you have to catch up on the 17 shows you’ve tried (and failed) to keep up with while at Cornell.

 

5. Go on one last adventure for 2015

 

After Thanksgiving Break – besides the fact that it’s going to be ridiculously cold – we’ll be heading straight into finals season. It’s your last chance to go exploring before the “Warning: No Winter Maintenance” signs begin to spring up around campus, so make the most of it.

 

6. Sleep

 

 

When your parents attempt to chastise you for your laziness, gently remind them that they will not have to be the ones walking to class uphill both ways in the snow every day.

 

7. Black Friday shopping

 

 

When else can you pick up a Keurig for dirt-cheap? Or a flat-screen television? Or a new laptop, or tablet? Or really just about any kind of nifty gadget or appliance that you don’t actually need, but that impulse decision-making will tell you to buy anyways, even while your wallet screams not to?