With their plates full of turkey, steamed vegetables and mashed potatoes and gravy in front of them, groups of friends shared what means the most to them in their lives.

“Students can donate their swipes all year long, it is not limited to the season of Thanksgiving,” Whitmore said. “Events like these are a big reminder how much of a social aspect eating and sharing a meal with other is, which is why we use All-University Thanksgiving as a big push for students to share what they have with those less fortunate in their community.”

A Season of Thanksgiving is Baylor’s university-wide campaign that encourages the Baylor community to take time to express gratitude for the people and blessings in their lives. One of the activities on campus that is encouraging a reflection of gratefulness is writing notes of appreciation.

What I’ve realized is that when I apologize so frequently, I undermine my own existence before I even give anyone else the chance to. I invalidate what I feel and need before someone else might shut me down. Maybe it’s some coping mechanism for the rejection I’ve experienced in the past, or maybe it’s just a bad habit I pick up in situations where I lack confidence.