Our professors call, "Have a great break!" as we stampede out of our classrooms into the crisp autumn air. Our heads are filled with visions of sleep, family, friends, turkey, and Black Friday sales, and for a moment, we think, "This break is exactly what I needed."

Then reality sets in. We have a stack of projects as tall as the Himalayan Mountains and the promise of finals looming in the distance. Here are some reasons why this period of time should not be called 'Thanksgiving Break'.

1. We will spend this week catching up on assignments and (if we're lucky) get ahead so studying for finals will be easier.

Have all of these read by next week and an annotated bibliography for each? No problem! Who needs sleep?

2. College students are great at multi-tasking, but It is extremely hard to give thanks and pull our hair out at the same time.

Although we will be thankful we aren't bald...hopefully.

3. Spontaneous, fun-filled outings? Forget them. We do nothing without consulting our planners.

Silly college student, you thought your time was your own?

4. Post-Thanksgiving Dinner Coma and productive scholastic endeavors do not mix well.

We might wake up just in time for school!

5. We are so stressed that when we think of Black Friday, a small part of us wants to go just to run people over.

It happens to the best of us....

6. When we go back to school in less than two weeks, we will not feel rested.

With all this said, I believe it is quite clear that this is not a break focused on family and giving thanks, but a week of trying to balance school obligations and family commitments. God bless our teachers for not making us go to class, too, but let's be honest, what is meant to be a break feels more like a marathon. With that being said, I need to go work on a 12-page paper. Happy Thanksgiving!