Have you ever heard of "The Turkey Drop" ?

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By Brooke Kelley - bio | email

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - Have you ever just wanted to quit or give up on something?

How about when you were in school? Well, you're not alone.

Many people think about dropping out especially around the Thanksgiving holiday. In fact, it's a growing trend that even has a name, "The Turkey Drop".

KC Rose is now back at Armstrong Atlantic State University's campus getting ready for final exams. She's walking with confidence right now, but she didn't always feel this way.

Just last week she thought about staying home.

"You really want to stay because of the security of your parents, you get back and you have to do work again," said Rose.

KC isn't the only student who thought about quitting school. AASU professor Mary Anne Brock says every year around the Thanksgiving holiday several students contemplate dropping out.

"It's difficult because students have been away from home since August and they have begun that transition into young adulthood where no one is telling them what to do and when to go to bed and they go home and mom and dad might treat them like they are 12 again rather then 18," said Brock.

Since 2003, AASU says they have always helped freshmen get through that first year, but new this year they saw the need even more. They started a program devoted just to help freshmen get back on track and stay in school.

"We all know the first year can be difficult, and it doesn't matter where you go to school and so we developed this first year experience program to get them in the academic community sooner to feel apart of the university so they don't get home sickness and they can learn to make good choices," said Brock.

That's the choice KC made. She now works with professor Brock and meets with her on regular basis to discuss a stay in school game plan.

"I've worked with KC on time management and how to keep moving forward even in difficult times," said Brock.

Casey says talking with her professors and getting that extra push is the reason she is back at school and back to stay.

AASU does have a resource center dedicated to helping students they are hoping to have it up and running in the Spring.

Georgia Southern University also has a system in place to keep freshman students from the "Turkey Drop."

GSU Freshmen are enrolled in first-year seminar, a two-hour class that serves as an academic introduction to college.

The program basically stretches out the orientation process into a student's first semester.

There is also support on campus.

Advisement centers monitor freshmen students receiving unsatisfactory grades and follow-up with these students to determine what the best course of action may be to help them be successful.

All freshman are also required to meet an academic advisor before they can register for Spring semester classes.