Thanksgiving might be over, but there’s one more thing you need to remember to be thankful for, all those people who’ve helped you compile and submit your college applications.

If you haven’t done it already, now is a great time to break out the old pen and box of note cards to write a little something to them.

Sometimes I get a little writer’s block when I’m staring at the blank card. If you do, start out with the basic thank you sentence. Tell them “Thank you for submitting that recommendation for me.” You can follow it up with a sentence or two about your hopes and dreams related to your applications. If you still have room and don’t know what to say, you could tell them a story about something that was funny during the process, “Can you believe I almost attached a picture of my dog instead of my transcripts?” You could also share with them your general happiness that the testing, essay writing and document gathering is over. “I’m so happy to be done with the application!” And, if you still have room, finish up with some reflection on the long wait to hear back from all those schools, “I doubt I’ll know anything before the New Year, but I’ll be checking my mail everyday!” Finish up with a promise to let them know where you get admitted (they really do want to know!) and follow through with that when you do get your letters.

You’d be surprised how meaningful these little thank yous can be to the people who helped you out.

And, in case you’re wondering, yes, they do need to be on paper. In this case, it’s more than the thought that counts, it’s the effort and kindness expressed in handwriting your note.