Love, Lust and Lies: Turkey Dump is lurking

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For many of us, Thanksgiving is a time when we can reflect on the things we are thankful for in our lives. I personally like to think of it as the holiday when we can forget about our waistlines and eat as much turkey, ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie as our hearts desire.

If you're a college or university student, Thanksgiving isn't just about being grateful or eating food, it can be about breaking someone's heart. For those of you who don't know what the 'Turkey Dump' is, it's when first-year students come home from college or university and break up with their high school girlfriend or boyfriend over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. It sounds horrible, I know! You look forward to seeing your significant other for a few days after a difficult time apart, and when you finally see them they break up with you, around the holiday no less.

So why do so many college students choose to take part in the Turkey Dump?

It's plain and simple: people move away and they grow apart. That's what college years are about, trying to find yourself and things that you enjoy, so it's only natural that some high school relationships end. For many students, this is their first opportunity to go home since they left for school, so they want to take advantage of it because who knows when they will be home again. At least they want to break up with someone face to face instead of sending them a text or a BBM — no one wants to be dumped over the phone.

College is also full of new opportunities and people, and most students want to take advantage of that. They don't want to be that person who stays in their dorm every night on the phone while everyone else on their floor is in the next room partying. I hate to say it, but it's the time in your life when you should be selfish and do what you want to do. You don't want to wake up one day and regret not making out with that cute guy you met in first year because you had a boyfriend, only to find out he now plays for the NHL.

There is also the obstacle of long-distance relationships that can be too stressful for someone to handle, especially when they are at school. It's hard not seeing each other all the time and, like I've said before, if you don't have trust in your relationship, it will never work. Why prolong the inevitable and waste some of your best years trying to prove yourself to someone?

So, how to get over a Turkey Dump? Every person is different, but here are a few things that you could do.

First, it's Thanksgiving, so don't let all that good food go to waste, and if you want to reach for that second piece of pumpkin pie or even the whole thing, do it! Trust me, we have all been there at least once in our lives.

Distractions are nice, like going to the gym or hanging out with some friends. I would suggest staying away from alcohol because that could lead you to do something stupid, like call your ex or text them and wake up in the morning and realize what you have done. Being mortified isn't going to help the situation.

Even if you find distractions, make sure you make time to grieve. So curl up on the couch with some Ben and Jerry's and watch some sad romantic movies. Then I suggest you put down the spoon and go out and start living, because you are too young to dwell on a breakup.

No one wants to be Turkey Dumped, but for those of you who happen to be a victim, just know you are not alone this Thanksgiving season, as college and university students everywhere will be crushing boys' and girls' heart this holiday. At least after the Turkey Dump there will be more single people for you, because sometimes nothing gets you over the last one like the next one.