Many students use Thanksgiving Break to relax, recharge, and reflect on the semester. Some might travel back home, while others stay on campus and celebrate with their Concordia community.
With the loss of the school’s beloved Fall Break, students sighed in relief with the promise of a long weekend. Senior nursing student, Madison Ferch, says that the break served as a time to catch up on homework.
Even though homework was on the schedule for Ferch’s break, she says that she had an amazing time with family, enjoying football and a big feast together.
Ferch says that this year she is thankful for her family, her dog, Sydney, and her Concordia friends.
Whether your family eats turkey or ham, pumpkin or pecan pie, or even cranberry sauce, it is a feast that we can all recognize.
Of course, the food is what we all look forward to on Thanksgiving Day, but what does this have to do with being thankful?
The first Thanksgiving is thought to have been celebrated in 1621, where the settlers celebrated to give thanks for a successful harvest.
That is why we practice gratitude even today. It is so easy to get caught up in our busy lives as college students, which is why Thanksgiving is so important – it is the day that we get to remember to appreciate the small things.
While the food is what many think of when looking forward to the holiday, it is simply a reminder for why we celebrate Thanksgiving in the first place.
When gathering with family, there are often many traditions to go along. Thanksgiving traditions can range from a fun round of football to board games.
Ava Booth, sophomore education major, reflects on her favorite Thanksgiving traditions – another essential part of the holiday.
Booth says, “My favorite traditions are playing cards with my cousins, siblings, and grandparents.”
Booth also says, “I love spending time watching movies with my family and cuddling with my dog Luna.” Thanksgiving break is a time for students to catch up on homework and watch Christmas movies, but most importantly it’s a time to express gratitude and to remember to appreciate the things we have.
— Hanah Conger is a writer for The Beacon. She is a senior and will be graduating in May of 2024 with a degree in Mass Communications and a Writing Emphasis minor.