So maybe you’re not going home for Thanksgiving…

So maybe you’re not going home for Thanksgiving… and you’re probably worried that you’ll be stuck on campus with nothing to do while everyone else is at home with families and friends. Last year I stayed on campus for Thanksgiving weekend and instead of just sitting alone in my residence hall the entire time, I made the effort to stay busy on campus by attending different events. As a result, I used the time to meet new people and support my fellow Buckeyes! So from personal experience, I strongly recommend that you check out some of these exciting opportunities.

Here are my top events to attend over Thanksgiving weekend this year:

1. PizzaPalooza, 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25 at the Ohio Union West Plaza

Do you love being a Buckeye? Do you love pizza? Why not combine the two and enjoy free pizza at the Ohio Union West Plaza with many of your fellow Buckeyes. This event is free for students!

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2. Ohio State Men’s Basketball Game vs. Campbell, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26 at the Schottenstein Center

Maybe volleyball isn’t really your thing. Consider checking out our men’s basketball team take on Campbell University at the Schottenstein Center. This event is not free for students, but you can buy tickets at the Schottenstein leading up to the game. Here’s a tip: the ticket office has a limited number of $10 tickets available starting an hour before tipoff.

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3. Ohio State Women’s Volleyball Game vs. Minnesota, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26 at St. John Arena

Don’t have anything to do on Wednesday night? Consider checking out the Women’s Volleyball game at St. John Arena. The games are free for students, all you need is your BuckID. Support the Buckeyes in their last home game of the season and their senior night. Do not worry if you don’t know anything about volleyball, the games are fun for everyone!

4. 23rd Annual Thanksgiving Dinner, 11:45 and 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 28 in the Ohio Union

Perhaps you were worried that you weren’t going to get your fill of turkey if you’re not going home. Have no fear, you can enjoy a free Thanksgiving dinner at the Ohio Union. Seating for the dinner will take place at 11:45 a.m. and 2 p.m. and all guests must have a ticket to enter. Tickets are free and are available in 100 Oxley Hall, the Hale Black Cultural Center (Tuesday until 10 p.m. and Wednesday until 5 p.m.) and the Ohio Union Information Center (Tuesday until 10 p.m. and Wednesday until 8 p.m.). There will be about 1600 other Buckeyes, so make sure if you’re around to join in on this wonderful free event!!

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5. Ohio State Men’s Basketball Game vs. James Madison, 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 28 at the Schottenstein Center

After you get your fill of Black Friday shopping in Friday morning, consider attending the Men’s Basketball game at 4 p.m. Again this is not a free event for students, but you can buy tickets at the door and there are a limited number of $10 day of game tickets available an hour before the game. What better way to prepare for the game on Saturday against That Team Up North than supporting the rest of your fellow Buckeyes!

Tips to Help You Remain SANE in the Homestretch to Finals

We’re at that point in the year where we can see the end of school. Classes are finished in less than a month. But, we’re also at the point where it feels like every instructor is cramming in a million more group projects, papers, midterms, etc., even though finals are right around the corner. Here are some tips to help you remain sane through the end of April.

1. Get time away and/or alone

Make sure you take a few minutes for yourself to just walk around campus, get a coffee from Starbucks, or just enjoy the nice weather on one of those days when it decides to be 60+ outside.

2. Spend a short time doing something for pure fun

With all the hard work and stress that the next few weeks will bring, make sure you have time to reward yourself for your hard work. Whether you Skype with a distant friend, play some video games, or watch funny YouTube videos, just make sure you reward yourself.

3. Exercise

You may be thinking, “How am I supposed to have time to exercise when I have to study for five tests, write nine papers, and complete four group projects?” Trust me, even just a few minutes of exercise will make you feel so much better. If you want to exercise, but also want to accomplish something for school, bring your book or notes to the gym to study while you’re on the treadmill or while you’re biking. You will feel reenergized once you’re done. Even if it’s only for 20 minutes, try to get some exercise.

4. Attend an athletic event

Sometimes you just need to take a break completely from what you may be doing to get a new perspective or to get reenergized. A great way to do this is to attend an athletic event at Ohio State. There are baseball games, softball games, track meets, the football spring game (April 12; free to students), and many other athletic events that will occur during these last few weeks of school. I know the athletes would all love your support and it would be a great way to take a break from studying.

5. Make a list, write everything down

One suggestion to help you feel less overwhelmed these last few weeks is to make lists. This simple concept may sound silly, but it will make you feel better! Make lists of the things you have to do. As you complete them, make sure to cross them off on the list — you will feel great that you are accomplishing something, even if you have a million more things to do. At certain points, make sure you set rewards for completing so many things on the list. This will encourage you to continue to work hard and not get too frustrated.

If all else fails, make sure to breathe. We have roughly five weeks left (including finals). Just think: we are so close to summer. If you need an incentive to study hard for finals, just think about how great summer will be when you find out you got better grades than you thought because you studied so hard!