Thanksgiving is a time for a break from school, lots of food, and time spent with family. But for a college student, going home for the holiday is not always as easy as pumpkin pie. Some students have to spend the pilgrim holiday on campus hanging out with friends, studying and eating on campus. Here are some non-traditional ways to make the most out of your college-style Thanksgiving:
1. Jump start your Thanksgiving holiday by celebrating at NSU. Attend Nova International Student Associations’ Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov. 20 in the lounge on the second floor of the Don Taft University Center.
2. Go camping. Grab your friends, a tent, and a cooler full of food and celebrate the holiday with the people you love at local parks like Toopeekeegee Yugnee Park in Hollywood or C.B. Smith Park in Pembroke Pines.
3. Take a dinner cruise. If you want to spend Thanksgiving dancing, climb aboard the Biscayne Lady Yacht, which has three decks, two dance floors, state-of-the-art audio and visual equipment and a buffet-style feast. For more information, visit biscaynelady.com
4. Give the gift of Thanksgiving. Volunteer to cook or serve dinner at a soup kitchen or shelter. Spend your time off from school giving back to the less fortunate.
5. Make decorations. Cut out a turkey or fall leaves with construction paper and decorate your dorm room, dorm door, or your neighbor’s dorm room and door. Paper and tape can go a long way in spreading holiday cheer.
6. Pack a picnic. If it’s not too hot and camping isn’t your thing, take Thanksgiving outdoors for an afternoon. Go to Markham Park in Sunrise, or any park, and remember how lucky you are to be in Florida.
7. Bake, bake and bake. Is your mom the queen of pies and cookies at home? Take a recipe from her cookbook and bake your favorite pie, cookie or cake and share it with friends or devour it all by yourself.
8. Have a food contest. Try something new with a Thanksgiving leftovers game. Put your friends into teams, use the leftovers and try to come up with a delicious dish using only three other mystery ingredients. Don’t forget to have a judge to announce a winner.
9. Invite guests. If you know someone who will be celebrating alone, invite them to your dorm or apartment. Make your Thanksgiving about friends.
10. Play games. Grab your friends and get into pairs. Place a small mini pumpkin, or ball, between your foreheads. The leader of the game shouts commands like “Squat,” “Jump,” “Four steps to the right,” “Four steps to the left,” etc. Whichever pair completes the commands without the pumpkin dropping wins. You can also have a popcorn relay race. Set bowls filled with popcorn at one end of a room or field and empty bowls at the opposite end. Teams must transport the popcorn from the full bowl to the empty bowl using a measuring cup.
With these tips, staying on campus for Thanksgiving could be a lot of fun.
