Thanksgiving Break Should Be a Whole Week

By Isabelle Loginovs | October 26, 2026

Photo Credit: Pixabay

Thanksgiving Break is supposed to be a time for college students to relax, spend time with family, and take a much-needed break from school. So why are students only getting a few days off?

At colleges like the University at Albany, Thanksgiving Break feels more like a long weekend than an actual break. Students deserve a full week off to recharge, catch up with loved ones, and prepare for the final stretch of the semester.

For many students, going home for Thanksgiving is not as simple as packing a bag and leaving campus. Some students live several hours away from Albany, while others have to travel across the state or even across the country. Between traffic, crowded airports, and limited transportation options, getting home can take up a large part of the break. By the time students arrive, they may only have a day or two to enjoy being home before they have to start thinking about the trip back.

This is not just an issue that students at UAlbany are facing. According to BreakShare’s Thanksgiving Break 2026 at U.S. Colleges, which compares the academic calendars of 969 colleges, 246 colleges give the entire week of Thanksgiving off, which is about 25%.

Another 58% begin their break on Wednesday, while 13% do not begin their break until Thanksgiving Day. These numbers show the varying college Thanksgiving schedules across the country, and a full week off is already a reality for some students. 

Being away at college can also make students realize how much they miss their families. Between attending classes, completing assignments, studying for exams, and keeping up with other responsibilities, there is not always enough time to stay connected with people at home. Thanksgiving is one of the few opportunities students have to spend meaningful time with their loved ones. A longer break would allow them to enjoy family traditions, share meals, and catch up with relatives without constantly worrying about returning to campus.

College is an important part of growing up, but that does not mean students should have to miss out on time with the people who matter most to them.

In an article titled "The Pros and Cons of a Longer Thanksgiving Break," Iris Zhan discusses how keeping classes on the Monday and Tuesday before Thanksgiving can create difficulties for students who need to travel. Zhan explains that students sometimes leave early because flights are cheaper, which can lead to missed classes and professors having to adjust their plans. This article also acknowledges that professors need enough time to cover course material before final exams. This highlights a problem with the current schedule as students may feel pressured to choose between attending class and getting home at a reasonable time. Giving students the full week off would allow them to plan their trips without having to miss important coursework. 

By the time Thanksgiving arrives, many students are also feeling the pressure of the semester. Final exams are approaching, major assignments are due, and the workload can become overwhelming. Although students are expected to keep up with their academics, they also need time to rest.

Even during Thanksgiving Break, many students still have assignments to complete, papers to write, and exams to study for. Instead of fully enjoying their time off, they may spend the holiday worrying about deadlines and trying to keep up with schoolwork. This makes a short break feel even shorter because students never really get the chance to disconnect from their academic responsibilities.

Of course, extending Thanksgiving Break would require some adjustments to the university’s academic calendar. Professors would need to plan their coursework around the additional days off, and the semester schedule might have to change. The time between Thanksgiving and final exams is already limited, which makes it important that professors stay on schedule.

However, this does not mean a long break is impossible. UAlbany could plan the academic calendar in advance to accommodate the extra days while ensuring that students still complete their required coursework. With careful planning, the university could find a balance between academic expectations and students need for time away from campus. 

Thanksgiving Break should be an opportunity to enjoy themselves without feeling like the holiday is over before it even begins. A few days off may work for students who live nearby, but it does not offer the same flexibility to everyone.

UAlbany should give students the entire week of Thanksgiving off so they have enough time to travel, spend time with family, and take a real break from school. Students work hard throughout the semester, and they deserve more than just a long weekend before heading back into the stress of finals.