Soon college students will be heading back to home for Thanksgiving break. Usually, this time of year is a happy time, as the holidays are right around the corner. For college students, it can be a stressful time as tests, papers and projects are waiting on the side of the turkey break.
On Thanksgiving day, college kids get to see family members that they have not seen in some time. At the dinner table, the large spread of delicious food that is the center of attention and is accompanied by the lengthy conversations. Since everyone is confined to the dinner table and unable to hide or shy away from social interaction, this is a time for adults to ask their burning questions to their nieces and nephews, grandchildren, or if they haven't gotten the chance to, their own kids.
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So, without further ado, here are 11 questions you can expect to get asked when you are at the dinner table Thursday.
1. How’s school going?
This is usually the first question asked right from the get-go. It is quite simply the go-to question when one of the family members starts to talk to you. Try to read the person asking you too; if they put their hand on their chin and look like they are really interested in what you are talking about, be prepared to elaborate. If they look like they are staring right through you, this could mean they did not know what else to ask and are planning their next question, and a simple, “it’s going well” should suffice.
2. What are your plans after college -- wait, what's your major again?
This is a question that always winds up being brought up, and depending on if you have thought about it or not, could be your worst nightmare. If anything, this could be a question to avoid. But this question will be asked, and you're expected to give an answer. And, they usually forget your major for the 10th time and ask you so they can forget on Christmas.
3. Do you have a boyfriend or girlfriend?
No, Grandma. I didn’t last time you saw me and I still don’t now. Thanks for making me feel good about myself.
4. What are you asking for Christmas?
Everyone has that one aunt that utilizes the whole Thanksgiving dinner conversation to figure out what everyone wants for Christmas so they can start their shopping the next day. If you don’t tell her now, expect an email cyber Monday.
5. Are you working hard or hardly working?/How are the parties at school?
This is usually asked by the adult in the family that tries to keep up with the times or enjoys living vicariously through the youth in the family. This could be a tricky one to answer because you might not want to give them the “right” answer. If you do, and word gets out, you might not be able to go back to school the next Monday.
6. Are you happy you’re home?
Always asked, anytime you’re home. Of course we are happy to be home. Coming home for the holidays is the best.
7. How many finals do you have once you get back to school?
Definitely the last thing you want to hear at this point in time. You use Thanksgiving break as a “break” from academics. You might be thinking about that final you have when you get back to school, but you definitely don’t want to realize your next two weeks are not going to be fun by telling your family your whole final schedule.
8. Will you be back for Christmas?
Of course. Unless the answer to number three is yes, and you’re going to his or hers for the holidays, you most likely will be exchanging gifts with the family.
9. How is the food at school?
Always a question brought up, especially at the dinner table. Let's make it easy, anything is better than cafeteria food.
10. Why aren't you wearing the sweater I bought for you?
This is one of the most dreaded questions by a family member, and quite honestly, most of the time you don’t expect it. Usually, after a bit of panic, shock, loss of words, etc., you manage to spurt out some excuse that you wore it last week and it's in the wash. Subsequently, you make sure you wear it on Christmas.
11. Are you ready to go back?
Always a question asked, usually in conjunction with number six. This answer varies, but the answer so you do not get in trouble with your parents is no. But it's hard to leave home after being back for a few days. You get a taste of summer and not doing work, but most importantly, being with family.
In the end, things will always work out. Either you prepare ahead, or come up with something on the spot. You can be sure you will be included in the dinner conversation in some capacity, but so will every kid at the table. You just might have more to contribute, whether you like it or not.
