With summer break just around the corner, Hamilton is finally beginning to warm up to a level we can call spring (knock on wood). Although a certain unfavorable groundhog may have doomed the Northeast for the spring, Punxsutawney Phil will not keep Colgate’s spring morale down forever. The following are a few ideas to prevent yourself from taking spring in Hamilton for granted during this time of year when things are starting to wind down for the summer.
- Picnics on Campus
A super easy way to appreciate the sunlight, although perhaps not a strong enough UV for tanning, is to have picnic meals with friends outside. Speaking from personal experience as a Texan dependent on the sun, I had no idea just how much being outside and feeling the sun on my skin had an ability to completely alter my mood. The first picnic dinner my friends and I planned was truly an eye-opening experience after the hardest winter of my life. From feeling sunlight to breathing fresh air, being outside while connecting with people is truly the essence of college life in the spring. Nature truly is a vital part of humanity, especially after a long winter, even if you would not consider yourself the outdoorsy-type. Sharing meals with friends outside adds another layer to this, as community bonding after an exhausting winter spent indoors reinstills an excitement for life that is crucial for this final push before finals. Popular locations for picnics can vary from the Field of Dreams to the grassy areas around the library and down Willow Path.
- Shopping at Retrospect & Worn Again
Situated on 20 Broad Street facing the Village Green, Retrospect is Hamilton’s staple vintage store, perfect for finding classy antiques and clothes in a time where our closets are being swapped out for the incoming warmth. I can confidently say that I bought my favorite pair of cowboy boots there for twenty dollars, and as a Texan with boot ball knowledge, that statement is basically blasphemy, so I really mean it. Worn Again is another great spring-clothing-search option that is supported by freewill donations right across the street! It runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 to 4 and Saturdays from 10 to noon, so be sure to stop by while it is open. If you meet a certain Mrs. Jackson there, who first recommended I visit Worn Again, she will help you find anything with the sweetest demeanor and utmost kindness.
- Hikes
Now that hikes can refer to walks in nice weather to see views rather than the treacherous trek one takes through feet of snow up the hill to class every day, hikes can be fun! Simply walking around the cute town of Hamilton and through the golf course, or ramping it up to hikes around Delphi and Chittenango falls near Cazenovia can be some of the best springtime activities. I can personally say that as a Colgate student living in upstate New York, I truly take the area for granted as nature completely surrounds us. That is, until I started hiking with friends and my aunt who lives locally, adoring Delphi and Chittenango falls especially. Additionally, the National Library of Medicine reveals how the “systematic review and meta-analysis show that nature walks effectively improve mental health, positively impacting depression and anxiety.” What better way to de-stress for the upcoming finals season while simultaneously enjoying spring, therefore, than a hike?
- 13 Days of Green
From noon to 4 on Saturday, April 18, Colgate’s 13 Days of Green: Day of Service allows volunteers to “have the chance to work with a variety of nonprofit partners focused on sustainable land preservation, education, and public access.” In collaboration with Colgate Community Garden, Southern Madison Heritage Trust Shapiro Reserve, and Rogers Environmental Center, the effort to give back to nature after all it has given us is the perfect way to appreciate spring (additionally, Colgate’s host organizations are the Office of Sustainability, Colgate Athletics, and the Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education). Be sure to look on GetInvolved or reach out to cove@colgate.edu to register as the event is quickly approaching!
- Studying outside
Whether on top of the Dana Arts Center, outside of Case Library, on the tables outside of Donny’s Pub, or around the academic quad, Colgate offers many tables and chairs around campus to mobilize your study space to allow for a change of environment, especially during this oncoming warmer weather. While I personally count it as multitasking when I study and sit outside to gain a potential tan, this technique is especially beneficial during exam week when, in the midst of all the chaos, your body physically requires you to touch grass and reconnect with nature.
Altogether, there are still so many things to do to enjoy our time left on campus, especially to avoid taking an area of New York like Hamilton for granted in the spring. That being said, study hard so you can finish strong in this last stretch!