It’s that time of year again and many are finding it hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, even if it does shine red, gold and green, and smells like brandy-spiked eggnog.

Students at SF State are realizing that having to take their finals so late in the month of
December messes with their travel plans and adds to the pressure that usually accompanies the holiday season.

But many are finding ways to travel home for the holidays, while staying within a budget, and are also managing to take advantage of all that winter has to offer by planning adventure getaways in the snow.

“Having a final so late as the 22nd leaves me no time to chill with my friends in the city, to celebrate the holidays, or buy gifts for my family,” said Lauren Ponder, 22 a first year psychology major at SF State.

This year marks the first year that SF State has given students a week off in November to celebrate Thanksgiving, which leaves many students having to take exams only three days before Christmas.

Ponder added that having only two days in between finals and Christmas leaves her feeling even more stressed out.

According to the Southwest Web site, a round trip ticket from Oakland to Los Angeles during the last month of December can cost travelers about $220, or more if they book later.

STA Travel, a student based travel Web site, offers discounted student airfares, budget hotels, and travel discounts. It offers the same flight at a considerably lower rate of $169.

Lehman said he is looking in to renting a car to drive down to Los Angeles, and taking the train back in an attempt to save some money.

Greyhound offers a 15 percent discount to college students with valid I.D. all year. One-way economy cars can be rented as cheap as $69 a day and as low as $214 a week, according to the Budget Car Rental Web site.

In addition to traveling to visit family in San Diego for Christmas, Ponder said she plans to snowboard in Mammoth, while she is in Southern California. She added the best time to go to Mammoth is after the holidays, because the mountain can be “just chaos” around Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Senior George R. Nixon, an SF State business major, also had the problem with finals week falling so late in the month of December.

“My family is in Bozeman, Montana, and it was just way too expensive to fly home so late in the month,” Nixon said, adding that, if he were able to fly home earlier, he would have received a discounted rate.

“It was a difference of, like, $400 to leave on the 23rd versus the 17th, like I did last year. So I said ‘Screw it, I’ll brave the 16 hour drive,’” he said.

Nixon added that he’s “super pumped” to ski his favorite hill in Big Sky Montana and that on the bright side, it is more convenient to have his own car while he is at home.

For those who plan on visiting family, as well as taking a trip with friends, Lake Tahoe can be another option. Lake Tahoe is one of many popular ski destinations for those who live in Northern California, and there are various deals on lodging, lift tickets, and ski rentals.

Squaw Valley is one of Tahoe’s premier ski resorts that offer discounted rates for college students. Those who register and download an online coupon are eligible for $45 lift tickets Monday through Thursday all season (except Christmas day), and must present valid college student identification, as well as the printed online coupon every time they go, in order to receive the discount.

According to its Web site, Squaw Valley also features a special deal for those who are first time skiers or snowboarders. The resort offers a “first time adventure package” that features a two-hour introductory ski or snowboarding lesson, rental equipment, and a beginner lift ticket for only $89.

Kirkwood also features a discounted student rate for all-day lift tickets at $31, Sunday through Friday, and $41 on Saturday. Regular daily priced tickets are normally $67.

College group discounts are also available on one-time purchases of 20 or more lift tickets at Heavenly in South Lake Tahoe, for use on the same day. Rates vary depending on the time of year, but helpful for college students seeking “high roller status on a low roller budget.”