Surviving the Spring Semester
The spring semester can seem daunting. Coming back from a nice, long vacation to a cold, harsh Laramie when the sun can set before you finish your classes. Walking across campus in the cold may not seem to be an appealing way to start the semester, but you can make the most out of it if you try.
Find a fun way to keep yourself warm. A nice hot cocoa, hand warmers, a fun scarf or hat will give you a reason to get up in the cold Laramie mornings.
Try to keep track of the slippery spots around campus.
“The most direct path across Prexie’s on the side of the Union tends to collect water and become very icy,” said Sophomore Frances Scott.
Winter may be associated with cold, drab scenes and bare trees, but you can find beauty if you look. Try to find whimsy in the cold. Make a snowman os snow angel. Look at the snow falling onto the trees, and think of each flake as unique and beautiful. Get a cheap sled and find a hill to go down with some friends. If it’s your thing, make time on a weekend to go skiing.
Remember to stay active. Exercising can help boost your mood during the season of isolation. Turn outside walks into treadmill time at the half-acre and check out the myriad of other activities like cycling, yoga, and rock climbing while you’re there.
Find a cozy place to stay in between classes. Heading off campus and back forces you to be out in the cold more than necessary. Warming up your car and clearing off the snow takes so much time that it hardly seems worth it to go all the way home. Find a building close to your classes and a place to study, do homework, or just chill.
Coe Library is a great place to start, but the open floor plan and distance from the middle of campus are some obvious downsides. Study rooms and student lounges in older buildings, such as Ross Hall and the Agriculture Building, are often warmer and cozier. They may have less room but tend to be quieter. Also, a few of these student lounges have some coffee or snacks available, so try to find the cool ones.
Above all, look to the future. Remember, the sun will stay up longer, and the temperature will get warmer. The grass will grow back greener, and the campus will breathe the first breaths of Spring air. You will be able to lie in Prexie’s, hang out on benches, and feel the sun on your skin. The campus will defrost and come out of hibernation as classes come to an end and summer approaches.
