By Ally Uhlendorf
Editorialist
The spring semester can often feel extremely stressful, burnt out and anxiety-inducing. With deadlines, final exams and projects and the impending doom that is graduation, it is easy to lose sight of the pure joy that is the season of spring.
There’s something about spring on a college campus that feels so special. Seeing everyone sitting outside together and enjoying each other's presence reminds us of what college is truly about. After months of cloudy skies, winter coats and having to stay indoors every day, the first day of spring feels like a reward. And in college, the season of spring is the perfect time to embrace your inner child.
College can feel like a never-ending race toward adulthood. Assignments, internships and the hovering question of “what’s next” can make every day feel like it must be productive and there is no time for breaks. But it is easy, and sometimes necessary, for spring to disrupt that mindset. With the sun shining until 7 p.m. and the warmth providing the perfect opportunity to be outside, it is important to embrace those opportunities rather than waste them.
Spring invites simple joy in a way that no other season in college does. It is freeing to be able to spend time outside and allow yourself to do whatever feels fun in the moment. Whether it is playing a sport, riding a bike or sitting on a blanket on the lawn, these small, almost childlike activities can feel restorative.
Embracing your inner child does not mean ignoring responsibilities. Instead, it means remembering that life is not meant to be lived entirely in pursuit of the next step. As children, we did not need a reason to play or to spend time outside. We were not concerned with work or busy schedules. Spring serves as a reminder that our inner child is still there, just often buried by the pressures of getting older.
You can still abide by your responsibilities while simultaneously having fun. Do work outside instead of at your desk, and give yourself “brain breaks” in between assignments. Adding these simple joys to your daily routine while the sun is shining will allow you to feel that boost of serotonin and take a little stress off.
Especially for those who are soon to be graduating, you must seize these opportunities to have those last few moments of pure fun. For seniors, it is unfortunately far too easy to utilize senior spring solely as the time to apply to jobs and focus on that next milestone. But, if anything, these last few months are the time to focus on spending moments with your friends and soaking up the beauty of college.
There is also something communal about spring on campus. By everyone spending more time outside and choosing to do work on the Travers lawn instead of the library, you can truly feel the community at the College. Taking part in that energy, even in small ways, can make college feel more alive.
In a time of life that is so focused on building a future, it is easy to forget the importance of enjoying the present and being youthful. But these small, seemingly insignificant moments often become the ones we remember most.
As it gets warmer, take the change of season as an invitation to enjoy yourself. Sit outside a little longer. Say yes to plans you might normally skip. Let yourself be spontaneous and carefree. College will always demand your attention, but college spring does not last forever.
