For many people, the holidays mark a particular time of year when they can spend time together, eat, and make memories with family and friends.
In America, Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season. It is a day to offer thanks and celebrate with food that keeps many families full for days.
Many college students look forward to this break because it allows them to spend time with their family and enjoy home-cooked meals for the first time since the beginning of the autumn semester.
But, depending on their situation, not every college student experiences life like this.
The reasons given by students who are unable to spend Thanksgiving at home include the fact that they either have a job in Tallahassee, do not want to go back to their situation, or simply lack the necessary finances.
While attending college, some of the students are figuring out how to create a new Thanksgiving custom. Ideas are circulating around campus, such as going to a friend’s family gathering or perhaps hosting a Friendsgiving.
FAMU fourth-year business administration student Torrey Demons says work and his girlfriend are the two reasons she will be staying in Tallahassee for Thanksgiving instead of going back home.
“The main reason I decided to stay in Tallahassee was because I thought I was scheduled to work the whole week of Thanksgiving, but I’ll get Thanksgiving Day off,” Demons said. “It would make not make sense for me to drive three hours and come back the next day.”
The Duval County native says he always finds time to go back home since he lives in Jacksonville. Demons’ favorite part about Thanksgiving is eating delicious food and spending time with family and friends. “Thanksgiving is a time when you see some of your family you haven’t spoken to in years. It’s kind of crazy that we have to wait until a holiday to speak to one another,” Demons said.
FAMU student Chaz Clark intends to prepare meals for his friends and classmates who are unable to return home to be with their families. Roberts wants to make sure that after a meaningful dinner, everyone is feeling content and appreciated.
“It sucks that I won’t be able to go back home this year. My mom was a little disappointed, but I will see her this Christmas,” Clark said. “At least I’m grateful to enjoy Thanksgiving with my friends and eat food from different cultures.”
The campus café, as well as eateries like Glory Days Grill and Golden Corral, will remain open to students who are stranded in town for Thanksgiving break.