Women Campus | Hello beautiful!: The Turkey Dump: Why So Many College Couples Break Up Over Thanksgiving

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Everyone is nervous upon their first day of school, whether it be kindergarten or freshman year of college. Girls, I know that, for many, college is the first time you are without your families, sometimes hundreds of miles away from home. So, it can be comforting to have a boyfriend to remind you of home. "The reason I took the breakup so hard was because I felt like I had no connection to home anymore," says Tommy. "I wanted someone who knew ME, rather than someone who only knows who I am now." Plus, it helps during those moments when the loneliness seems overwhelming…like when you forgot to do your homework, failed a test, fought with your new friends, came down with the flu…Wait, that does happen to you, too, right? However, once you begin to settle into college, the need for a so-called "security blanket" is usually unnecessary. "I started to get so involved with my sorority and new friends that I didn't have as much interest in my boyfriend anymore," says Rachel. "It wasn't that I didn't care for him, I just didn't want to devote the time, since I wasn't really into it."

When It's Time to Break it Off with your High School Sweetheart

You change your ringtone to "Single Ladies," but for your boyfriend? "I Look So Good Without You"
You ace an exam and you call your parents, your siblings, your grandparents, your cousins, your next-door neighbor…but not your boyfriend.
You see a girl flirting with him on Facebook, and you think "Why would she be interested in him? Take him!"
A cute guy approaches you at a party, asking about your relationship status. "It's basically done, I mean we're over," you say, while receiving multiple texts from your boyfriend, wondering where you are.
You would rather take a nap, do homework, study in the library, workout…almost anything except talk to your boyfriend.
You need a date for an upcoming formal, and your boyfriend is the last person you are considering to take.
Your mom asks if she should set an extra place at Thanksgiving dinner for your boyfriend, and you say, "Who?"
You change your relationship status on Facebook to "Single" – to your boyfriend's surprise.
You're "somewhat" in a relationship with the cutie on your floor.
You're only excited for Thanksgiving break because you want to breakup with your boyfriend, then head back to school single and ready to mingle!

Does Anyone Survive?

There are some couples who just seem to make it work. Maybe you even know one – the girl returns to her room with a bouquet of roses, expressed overnight. "He wanted to make sure I got them before my exam," she explains. Or, a guy whose Facebook status is repeatedly, "I can't believe how lucky I am." So, ladies, if this article has you worried about becoming a victim of "The Turkey Dump," remember that sometimes long-distance relationships really do succeed. While there is truth to the tale, it does not apply to every couple. "Freshman year was really hard on my relationship," says Caroline, sophomore student. "But we made it through, and now are stronger than ever."

Thanksgiving break is one of the best times of freshman year. You finally get to see your family and friends, who you've been missing for weeks. Remember, girls, The Turkey Dump may be a blessing in disguise – at least you're home to eat your feelings…home-style. Or, home to engage in a little Black Friday retail therapy? Okay, okay, you get it. Remember, though, you never know what will happen in the future. "My girlfriend and I broke up for college," says Mike, University of Illinois student. "But we still talk, and it's definitely possible that we will get back together." If you're the dumper, then get ready for a crazy second semester of freshman year – you deserve it.

Sources

Rachel, University of Missouri student

Tommy, University of Illinois student

Caroline, University of Iowa student

Mike, University of Illinois student

Dan Savage, Sex and Relationship Columnist