So we’ve finally reached the penultimate month of the year: November.

And while I’ve never been a huge fan of this time of year, because it has a tendency to be cold, snowy and rainy, it still has its perks.

While I’m sure most of you started listening to Christmas music the day after Halloween – maybe even before – don’t forget that we have an awesome holiday about a month before Christmas: Thanksgiving.

I completely understand that there aren’t any holly, jolly Thanksgiving songs to jam to throughout the month of November, so I won’t yell at anyone for listening to Chirstmas music right now. However, I just think that Thanksgiving deserves some credit.

Besides giving the students, faculty and staff about a week off school, Thanksgiving gives us a chance to think about all of the positive things that happen in our life, which can be a very good thing for those of us who feel so stressed out some days, they forget to eat.

I mean sure, the holiday may be based on a feast that occurred a few hundred years ago, but it has grown into so much more than that.

But going home and pigging out on turkey, mashed potatoes and stuffing is absolutely wonderful. In fact, after spending a semester having cereal for almost every meal, it’s going to be glorious.

Having Ramen Noodles every day for two months tends to get a little old hat.

Another nice thing about the whole Thanksgiving break is getting to see some of the family you haven’t been able to see while you’ve been away at school.

Personally, I know if my mom didn’t call me once a week, I would probably hardly ever speak to her – not because I’m not actively trying, but just because I have so much on my plate that I forget that I should probably keep in contact with people I grew up with.

This break not only gives me the chance to tell her how awesome her cooking is, but it gives me the chance to catch up with her, see how her life is going and tell her about mine.

Also, I get to see other family members such as my brother, my grandma, some cousins and some of my aunts and uncles.

It’s nice to get to catch up with everyone before you have to go hole up in your room and write four essays and study for all of the finals you have to take.

This brings me to my final point.

With final exams getting closer and closer day by day, I’m sure most Gannon University students are freaking out.