By Nadia Colimon, Tatiana Borrero and Kailey Wyatt
For most students, Thanksgiving is a time to spend with family and be thankful for everything in life, but at the University of South Florida, they have a limited amount of time to do so. Students get two days off, Nov. 23 and 24, for their Thanksgiving break.
“It’s my first semester here, but I was thinking of just skipping anyway because I’m used to having the week off,” said Madasen Szalewski, a junior at USF. “I don’t really know anybody that has classes on Friday, so there really isn’t a break in my opinion.”
Before transferring to the University of South Florida, Szalewski attended the Pasco-Hernando State College.
“Most of the classes I had didn’t do anything that week because they knew that either we wouldn’t show up or that it was a holiday,” said Szalewski.
Not only are students unaccustomed to such a short break, but it poses a major inconvenience to students who come from out of state or even other parts of Florida. It leaves them scrambling to make accommodations that allow them to enjoy their holiday like anyone else would be able to.
Between arranging plans with family and preparing for final exams, students must manage their time efficiently. The question arises as to whether it is worth it for students to attend classes at the beginning of the week of Thanksgiving.
“Last year my professors canceled class so I could go home with no issues but this year I have no choice but to stay in town,” said Brooke Bedson, a sophomore at USF. “It really does suck because I want to be with my family but it would be too expensive to fly the day of Thanksgiving.”
Armando Echeverry, a sophomore at USF, calls Ft. Lauderdale his home. Despite the break only beginning on Thanksgiving Day, he usually heads home three days prior for a nearly four-hour drive from Tampa to home.
“The reality is, either I only get to spend two to three days with my family or I miss class but get to spend a little more time with them,” Echeverry said. “If I have the opportunity to see them for longer during a time so important such as Thanksgiving, I’m going to take it.”
Out-of-state students are often faced with the choice of skipping class altogether or waiting until the Christmas holiday to see their families. Traveling back and forth for both holidays is not an option for some students, considering final exams fall in between.
Staying in the dorms isn’t always a bad thing. Some students celebrate at their college campus in unique ways.
Related Story: Thanksgiving Break Affects USF Student-Athletes
