By Kelly Leslie, Student at San Francisco State University

The holidays are here and it's finally time to visit your family after your first few months of school. Exciting? Definitely!

But let's face it … there is more than reuniting with your loved ones on your mind. The anticipation of finding out where you stand with your parents and the new freedom you found while away is killing you. No worries, we have all been there before and with a few tips, you'll be on your way to a stress-free Thanksgiving break in no time!

The first step to an awesome break is enjoying the trip home. Long road trips can be tough, and it is essential to travel with tunes. Whether you go by car or plane, the long trek will be much more enjoyable with a killer playlist. Are you looking forward to seeing the new Twilight movie with your hometown friends? The Breaking Dawn soundtrack is now available and will definitely help the time fly by. It doesn't matter what kind of music you like, just make sure to grab something great before you go.

Once you are finally home, don't let the stress of determining your curfew ruin your homecoming. Your parents are just as excited to see you as you are to be home, and you'll have plenty of time to face that battle when it comes. When it does finally arrive, communication is key. Most parents want you to be able to hang on to your freedom, but they just want to know where you are going and when you plan on being home. Give them a definite time and make sure they are comfortable with it. If they aren't, negotiate a time that works for both of you. Being open and honest is the best way to go about it.

While you are home, make sure to spend quality time with your family. Your trip home isn't very long, and it can be overwhelming trying to fit everyone in with limited time. Even if it means delaying a visit with an old friend until winter break to spend some extra time around the house, you'll be glad you did.

If it feels like your family isn't making extra time for you in their busy schedules, don't be afraid to ask for their attention. Find a time when everyone will be around and suggest a movie night with a big bowl of popcorn. There is nothing better than memories of being home to cure homesickness the next time you are away, so you'll want to load up on them while you can.

Happy Holidays!

Image: jannoon028 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net