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Encouraging Your Student to Recharge This Thanksgiving

The Memorial Belltower surrounded by fall leaves. Photo by Becky Kirkland.

As Thanksgiving break approaches, many NC State students are feeling the pressure of the semester. Between assignments, exams, and the stress of the upcoming holidays, it’s easy for them to forget how important it is to take a real mental break. As parents, this is the perfect time to encourage your student to step away from the grind and recharge.

Thanksgiving break for the 2024 fall semester at North Carolina State University will be Wednesday through Friday, November 27–29:

  • Wednesday, November 27: Thanksgiving Break begins
  • Thursday, November 28: Thanksgiving Holiday
  • Friday, November 29: Thanksgiving Holiday

The university will be closed on Thursday and Friday during Thanksgiving break, and classes will resume on Tuesday, December 2, 2024.

While Thanksgiving is a time for family and relaxation, it’s also the perfect moment for your student to take a mental break before the intense final stretch of the semester. Finals are just around the corner, and taking a real break during the holiday can help them return to campus feeling recharged and better prepared to tackle their exams and projects.

College life can be overwhelming, and students often push themselves too hard, trying to stay on top of everything. Encourage your students to take this break seriously—not just for physical rest but also for mental clarity. Suggest that they sleep in, spend quality time with friends, and truly unwind without the pressures of school. Whether it’s spending time with family, getting outside, or simply taking a break from screens and assignments, remind them that they don’t need to be constantly working.

A true break now can help them return to campus feeling refreshed and ready to finish the semester strong. As a parent, your encouragement to relax and recharge can make all the difference. Thanksgiving is a time to step away from the stress, reflect, and permit themselves to rest—mentally and physically. They deserve it, and it will set them up for success as they head into finals.

Ava Wolf

Parent Ally

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