Student stuck on campus for Thanksgiving

Q: All of my friends are going home to their families for Thanksgiving. I live so far away that I can't go home. I'm stuck here at school over the break and it's going to suck. I miss my family. What can I do to feel better? _ Homesick for Turkey



A: Awww... that's really no fun. You must know that Tufts students come from all over the globe (even places where Thanksgiving isn't a holiday!) so you're definitely not alone. There will be people around, parties most likely happening and most importantly: sleep to catch up on!

We're only a few weeks away from the end of the semester, so for a lot of students it doesn't make sense to make the trek all the way home and back only to be returning home for winter break almost immediately after. You'll be back home soon.

Take this time to catch up on some of your work, or get stuff done early so you're not stuck cramming for finals at the last second... not that we do that or anything, of course. Make some new friends around campus, since there will be others in the bored-and-lonely boat. Call your family, talk to them for a while and tell them how much you miss them. Call up friends you haven't spoken to in ages and catch up.

Thanksgiving is a holiday of more than togetherness... it's also a holiday of (you guessed it) thanks. Take some time to think about what you're really thankful for! Maybe you've got a friend close by who wouldn't mind having an extra head at the Thanksgiving dinner table. Doesn't hurt you to ask... it usually only hurts the turkey.



Q: Dear Angie, I'm in a fight with one of my best friends, sort of. She won't tell me what I did wrong, ignores every attempt I make to communicate with her and basically is giving me the "silent treatment." How am I supposed to make up with someone if she won't even acknowledge my existence? I value this friendship so much, I don't want it to end. How can I make things better? _ Shut out



A: Well, it looks like you've got two options: confront her to her face (if possible) so she can't ignore you, or let her cool down a bit before you try and pressure her into talking. The "silent treatment" routine is a little too "high school," you know?

Now that you're both legal adults, she needs to realize that a little maturity can help sort out this situation. It's hard to judge whether or not this will just blow over, since I'm not sure what you did (then again, you're not sure either). If your friendship is as rewarding as you say it is, it seems unlikely that she'll shut the door on you completely. She just seems pissed right now.

The more you try to talk to her, the more annoyed she may become. Just let her know what you told me: that you care for her, her friendship means a lot to you and then hopefully she'll come around soon enough to work everything out. Be patient, if you can.