The Dreaded Turkey Dump

Is it just me or does it seem weird having a reading week in the fall this year? I feel like we just got here and Ryerson is already sending us home for a week. (With the exception of engineering students who are stuck in class for the break, sorry guys!)

Many of us will be spending reading week catching up on homework, or heading home and stuffing our faces with Thanksgiving turkey and mashed potatoes.

But some students – particularly those who live away from home – will be leaving Ryerson only to break someone’s heart.

Yes, I’m talking about the dreaded turkey dump.

The term made famous by college and university students returning home from campus during the first holiday of the year, Thanksgiving, to break up with their significant other.

If you’re planning on a turkey dump during reading week, let me say that I get it.

University is a time for new experiences and maybe, over the last few weeks, you’ve realized you aren’t the same person you were in high school and want to move on. (This is totally okay.) Everyone is learning to balance school with a busy life and relationships might not be at the top of the priority list at this point. After all, you’re out on your own for the first time, you’ve made lots of new friends… you hooked up with that hottie from residence…Hey, it’s hard to focus in PSY101 when there are so many eye-catching classmates to distract you am I right?

What I’m getting at here is I completely understand the turkey dump. These are supposed to be the so called “best years of your life” who wants to be tied down to the old ball and chain back home?

If you’re feeling like this, that you’re missing out on something by staying in a relationship while away at school, then maybe it’s time to call it quits. Especially if you haven’t been the best boyfriend/girlfriend while you’ve been away

For those of you finding yourself the injured victim of a turkey dump, please know that you are not alone. It’s called the turkey dump for a reason – there are lots of others going through the exact same thing!

Yes breakups seriously suck – trust me, I’ve been there. It’s okay to feel miserable, but acceptance is the key to moving on. This new beginning presents a great opportunity to become a completely new person! Once you get out there and embrace all that university has to offer you’ll completely forget about whats-their-face and be focused on more important matters. Like that cute classmate you’ve been staring at for weeks.

So my fellow students, if your relationship ends this Thanksgiving, do not blame yourself. It’s most likely a blessing in disguise, and there are plenty of other fish in the Ryerson sea. Whether you’re the dumper or the dumpee, take a good look in the mirror, remind yourself how awesome you are, and enjoy that newfound freedom!

Good luck, and be safe!

Tags: Featured

About the Author

Danni Gresko is a second year journalism student at Ryerson University and a commuter student who has become a professional Go Transit rider (shoutout Lakeshore West!) She's worked in radio, print and online media and is a volunteer with Kin Canada. When she's not chasing stories or blogging, she likes snowboarding and listening to LOUD music. Let's Go Blue Jays!