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When students come home for the Thanksgiving holiday, they may be looking to unload more than their dirty laundry. While the "turkey drop" is often associated with freshman break-ups, it can also be a case of students deciding not to return to school after Thanksgiving. Fortunately, just a few preventative measures can help you avoid becoming a Thanksgiving casualty.

The turkey drop truth

In reality, the number of students who drop out of college after the Thanksgiving break isn't tracked. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that for some students, the holidays turn into a permanent vacation. David Baylis, a doctoral student at Michigan State University, notes an upswing in available apartments on Craigslist in advance of the holiday.

"I've noticed that suddenly lots of East Lansing apartments have become available," says Baylis, "and a lot of them are people who are looking to replace a lost roommate. Some even mention in the listing that the former roommate has decided to return home."

Hona Amer, president of the marketing firm The H Group and an adjunct professor, sees truth in the assertion that Thanksgiving can be prime time for college dropouts.

"I see students face burnout around Thanksgiving. They don't know why they originally signed up for college, and it seems pointless to finish," says Amer. "When they have an opportunity to go back home for Thanksgiving, the temptation of no responsibilities of school, work, a part-time job, or paying for rent are hard to resist."

While there are no hard numbers on Thanksgiving-inspired dropouts, there is no question many college students say farewell to their degree programs during the first year of school. According to the American Institutes for Research, approximately 30 percent of students who start college in the fall won't be back for their second year.

Why college students drop out in the first year

The reason why so many students drop out of college remains up for debate. Both Michigan State University and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have researched the subject in recent years, each coming to a different conclusion. While the study funded by the Gates Foundation found the need to get a job and earn money as the number one reason young adults dropped out of college, the MSU report indicated depression as being most influential.

However, the MSU study did note the importance of financial considerations when it came to college dropouts. Losing financial aid or experiencing a large increase in tuition or living expenses also ranked high as reasons for leaving school. Other shocks that make students prone to a turkey drop include being recruited by an employer or other school, an unexpected bad grade or roommate conflicts.

Beyond the 71 percent who cited the need to work and make money, the Gates Foundation found the following to be the top reasons cited by first-year college dropouts:

• Needed a break from school: 54 percent
• Couldn't afford the tuition and fees: 52 percent
• Boring classes: 45 percent
• Too many classes that were not useful: 43 percent
• Not enough time for family: 41 percent
• Didn't like sitting in class: 38 percent

Don't be a dropout turkey

Staying in school takes more than dumb luck. Amer, who authored the book "Smart Work U," says success in college starts in high school.

"Students need a definite plan upon beginning their college education. A lot of time and money can be used in haphazardly drifting along," says Amer. "Sitting down with parents or school advisers will help to solidify their goals and plans."

Felecia Hatcher is an author and speaker who conducts workshops nationwide to help students survive their freshman year. She says a successful college experience starts with picking not only the right program, but also the right college.

"It is so important that students participate in college tours," says Hatcher. "It's the first step in helping them lessen the culture shock that many have when they first step on campus for orientation. Virtual college tours don't count!"

Once on campus, Hatcher recommends students get involved with campus activities and tune out distractions from home. This can be particularly important for students who may come from a tumultuous family background.

"Cut down conversations with family members to allow you to focus on your work," recommends Hatcher. "Keep conversations positive and tell [them] to not tell you about family unless it's an emergency."

In extreme cases, Hatcher recommends students avoid coming home for Thanksgiving and the holidays. Instead, students can look for fellowship or short study programs to fill the time and avoid the temptation to return to home for good.

Once students find the right degree program and select the best institution to fit their needs, care should be taken to create a realistic budget for paying for tuition, room and board, and the other assorted fees that come with higher education. A little planning goes a long way in making sure you don't end up being a college turkey dropout on Thanksgiving.

More from Schools.com:

• Tracking the Turkey Day Trek [Infographic]
• Young, fabulous, and not so broke: 4 student budgeting tips
• Student sleep: How sleep deprivation affects college students [Inforgaphic]
• Georgetown report: Why 2-year degrees can earn you more than 4-year degrees