McNaughton: Holiday season prompts recap of what students have to be thankful for
Lots to be thankful for this season
Wednesday, November 28th, 2007
With Thanksgiving over, the semester coming to an end and Christmas right around the corner, everywhere we look we are reminded that, “‘Tis the season to be jolly.” Christmas music is making its way back onto the radio and department store airwaves, and slowly, the dust is being brushed off good ol’ Saint Nick and the decorations from the attic. Department stores and credit card companies are reveling in this jolliest of seasons. That jolly mood comes especially following all the money that was spent on Black Friday and over the weekend, which began the debt that many of us will experience over the holidays. On the academic level, we are all starting to make more frequent trips to the library in anticipation of and in preparation for finals. Oh joy!
In the spirit of the holidays, I wanted to do a mini-recap of what we have to be joyous about.
Although to some, finals can only be comparable with torture, others may see finals as just those last few tests left to pass in order to move on to another semester at KU. Obviously, your preparation and the amount you have riding on that final test grade depends on the previous months. But either way, just remember, it’s almost over and you survived another semester. We then get to look forward to at least a couple weeks of serenity and relaxation before grades come out. Then a couple more weeks to forget those grades and come up with our “new strategy” for things we are going to do differently next semester to improve those grades. That is, of course, unless you’re golden and you’re lucky enough to have discovered that strategy early on. Your next couple of weeks are going to be cake.
Aside from the end in sight, one thing that isn’t over quite yet is the football team’s post-season. First of all, as upset and downright livid as I was that we lost on Saturday, we all still have to be damn pleased with the way the season went. Our football team, KU’s football team, just went 11-1 and had the best record in 108 years, and all in all is the best football season in KU history. We were eligible for the Big 12 championship title and that alone is something to brag about, leaving out the name of the devils that took that chance from us.
I have also thoroughly enjoyed being able to say that I am attending the only college that has two top five teams. On that note, lets not forget the main reason we came to KU: The basketball season. The exciting, close call with Arizona this past weekend cured every one’s hangover blues from Saturday and reminded us that we still have another season of Kansas sports ahead of us.
If the semester being almost over and two winning Kansas programs isn’t enough to make you jolly or fill you with holiday cheer, I’ve got a couple of less shallow ones to throw at you. All semester in my columns I have been pleading with people to not judge anyone, appreciate the finer things in life or volunteer and help out. If you’ve never felt the desire to or understood the satisfaction of helping others in need, try it now. If you’re more of a material giver than a time giver, that extra $20 you were going to spend can be donated to a charity or can help buy Christmas gifts to give to Toys for Tots. Even offering to help a neighbor hang lights or doing something special with your significant other perpetuates those holiday feelings.
Finals, sports and being able to help through charities don’t sound like a very extensive thankful list, but it’s a start. My point is, as great as finals and sports are, the fact that we are able to participate in them is something we all should be thankful for. We, unlike millions of people, were able to attend the college of our choice. Along with those blessings, and many others, which include being able to realize our own fortunes, we are capable of spreading our cheer with others.
And since I get the extra pull of having my own column, I’m going to spread a little of my own special holiday cheer. Happy Holidays to all my family and friends!
McNaughton is a Topeka junior in journalism.
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