Each year, as Thanksgiving rolls around, I find myself thanking the universe for the same things: the freedom to gorge on ungodly amounts of pumpkin pie without judgment, legs that allow me to run from relatives quizzing me on my relationship status, and an entire week of pretending finals aren’t waiting for me on the other side.

However, with another year of adult-ing under my belt, I felt it was time to branch out and really express my gratitude for year round blessings. This year, I’m most thankful for:

**Classes without attendance policies**: Let’s get real for a hot second; there really isn’t anything worse than a mandatory class. (I am most certainly NOT thankful for you, five-credit econ class.) Therefore, I will never take for granted a nonattendance lecture, mainly because being told I have to go makes me want to throw the covers back over my head. Some days, getting out of bed for a 10 a.m. just isn’t in the cards. Sometimes the thought of an hour-long discussion on the Cold War sounds crippling. So here’s a shoutout to those professors kind enough to give students the occasional pass, you’re appreciated, and we are thankful. But if my mom asks, I’ve never skipped a day in my collegiate life!!! I love learning!!!

**Freshmen to swipe me in:** As a sophomore, I am not only obligated to buy real food at a real grocery store, but I’m also expected to cook it. (Who knew adulthood came with so many strings attached?) Personally, I completely took my freshman year dining plan for granted. I mean, I’m pretty sure I only went to late night three times the entire year. I don’t know what was wrong with me. But this year, I am so thankful for those sweet, sweet freshmen who aren’t overly stingy with their swipes. I’ll have Baja for breakfast, lunch and dinner, please!

**When there is no line at the Memorial Union Starbucks:** If, on any morning, I’m craving coffee from one of those controversial cups, I can bet on the fact that every other student at Mizzou is having the same thought. Without fail, I generally have to wait an extra 20 minutes just to make it through the Starbucks line. But it makes me _that_ much more grateful when it’s unusually short. If I can score a PSL in under 10 minutes, I consider it a blessing.

**Pocket Points:** I waited far too long to take advantage of this campus trend, but I’m thankful for its recent emergence into my life nonetheless. I will not deny that I am one of those stereotypical “broke” college kids eager to cash in on anything free. With the app, as long as your phone stays locked during class, you can rack up points to put toward a whole bunch of discounts. Although personally, I will probably never cash them in for anything other than free Chick-fil-A nuggets. I am also thankful for chicken nuggets.