Thanksgiving break is a well-needed and much deserved break for many college students. It is nearing the end of the semester and professors are assigning papers and tests like crazy. Students are running out of dining dollars, coins for laundry and the will to stay up all night and cram for the next big assignment. Here is a list of the stages of thanksgiving break for college students:

1. The “I Can’t Study Anymore” Stage:

Marked by bouts of crying, and lots of ice cream and tea while taking part in late night study sessions cramming last minute for tests and papers. At this point, you are on the verge of an emotional break down at any second and probably start tear up while watching random cute animal videos.

2. The “I Need My Mother To Do My Laundry And Cook Me Food” Stage:

This stage is clearly identified by the existence of multiple piles of dirty clothes that you have been waiting to take home because you don’t want to pay for laundry anymore. And you really need them to be washed because you might be re-wearing things that shouldn’t be re-worn. And you just can’t look at another helping of “meat” in the dining hall and find yourself day dreaming of your mother’s home cooked meals.

3.The “Journey Home” Stage:

In this semi-stressful stage, you must figure out a way to get yourself back home (unless you are one of the few lucky ones whose parents actually come pick you up and drive you home). You find yourself stalking people who are from nearby hometowns to ask if they can give you a ride, and researching the cheapest bus tickets. Once a ride is found and secured, there comes a related sub-stage - the “Let Me See How Much Can Possibly Fit In This Vehicle Stage”. This consists of multiple people attempting to shove as many articles of luggage and laundry as possible into every nook and cranny.

4.The “Finally Home” Stage otherwise known as “Don’t Disturb Me, I Am Either Eating Or Sleeping” Stage

This is reminiscent of your basic “Don’t Disturb The Teenager” Stage. It doesn’t consist of much besides sleeping in your own room again and enjoying your family’s meals. For the college student, this is a very pleasant stage, but for everyone else it is probably less so, as there is little conversation besides an occasional grunt.

5. The “Let’s Feast” Stage

This stage is particular to Thanksgiving Day, and consists of nothing but eating as much Thanksgiving food as you possibly can while enjoying family, friends, food and football.

6. The “Catching Up” Stage

This is the most nostalgic phase. It consists of driving around your hometown and seeing what changed, as well as seeing your old friends and catching up, and for the brave and confident souls, going back to your old high school and reminiscing about your high school days.

7. The “I Need To Get Out Of Here” Stage

This is when you begin to actually miss your tiny dorm room and questionable dining hall food. By this point, you are well rested and well fed and are sick of pestering from your parents. You saw everyone you wanted to see and are ready to get back to school. Also knowing that the semester is almost over is a good motivator.

8. The “It is Almost December Break” Stage

Although you were just home and got some good TLC, what is really getting you through the rest of the semester is knowing that you have a whole month off in just a few weeks.