Thanksgiving Break is just around the corner—a time when professors, staff and students will join their families for a home-cooked meal, some long-sought-after family bonding and a break from the rigors of academic life.

For many, this means hours of traveling by car to their hometowns. Home may be in Chicago or Detroit; home could be near or far.

Regardless, students are not given adequate time for safe travel during this holiday break.

Northern Michigan University allots students three days, Wednesday, Nov. 21 until Friday, Nov. 23, for students to visit family. Counting the weekend, this is five days that students may enjoy their time off. Once travel time is factored in, especially delays due to inclement weather, students have to budget two whole days for travel.

Besides the tendency for students to rush home, two days of school during the week of Thanksgiving does not give professors much time to teach students. Many professors lighten the workload for their students during this time, and students are distracted by the anticipated time off. Other universities have taken this factor into account.

Lake Superior State University starts their break on Tuesday, Nov. 20, with classes resuming on Monday, Nov. 26. Michigan Tech. starts their break on Friday, Nov. 16, with classes resuming on Monday, Nov. 26. These Upper Peninsula universities factor in travel time, and so should NMU.

NMU students work hard when pursuing their interests and respective degrees. They deserve a few extra days to travel home safely to spend precious hours with their family. NMU administrators should show students thanks and extend the Thanksgiving Break so that students can relax and enjoy their hard-earned rest.