Spring is here! It is no secret that for many college students, when the weather gets warm, the farthest thing on anyone’s mind is school and homework. As a senior, all I want to do is quad-sit for as long as possible, taking in the recently bloomed cherry blossoms, the fresh air, and the happy attitudes that the warm weather brings. There’s just one problem: as the weather gets warmer, finals get closer. Instead of laying out, tanning in the sun, you are sitting in the library staring out the window.
Here are 5 ways to enjoy the warm weather while still being productive.
- Take your classes and homework outside
Need to read a book to read for English or notes to take for Biology? Bring them outside! Why be stuck inside when you can be outside in the beautiful weather? Grab one of the many colorful adirondack chairs laying around campus or bring a picnic blanket out onto the quad! Doing homework outside can be very relaxing, and it’s a great way to get lots of vitamin D while still getting all your homework done. If you tend to work better in a quieter environment, bring a hammock to a more secluded spot on campus like the grove. I personally work best in a louder environment, so I like to get a bunch of friends, spread out our picnic blankets on the quad, play music on a speaker, and do homework.
Ask your professor to have class outside! While it is not guaranteed that your professor will agree depending on the work that is needed during class, I’m sure that most professors want to be outside as much as you do. After all, it doesn’t hurt to ask.
- Get your day started earlier
I know it’s not easy to get up so early in the morning. Trust me. I recently had to wake up at 7:00am (the earliest I have woken up in a long time) for a class field trip and it was not pleasant. But hear me out on this one: if you can get your day started earlier, you make the most of the warm weather during the day.
- Go for a walk
Going for a walk is a very good way to be active in the warm weather and you can do many things to make walking productive. First, if you have a book to read for any class, try getting the audiobook for it. Go for a walk downtown to Market Street, the Rail trail, or even just around campus. Second, if you really cannot do homework outside, study straight for an hour, then take a 15 minute walk around campus, then back to studying.
- Exercise
For those of you who exercise regularly in the gym, try taking your workout outside. While I admit that I am not the most avid gym goer, I know how necessary the gym may be for many workouts specifically for weight use. I am not saying don’t go to the gym, but for cardio, try walking or running outside and then the gym for weightlifting.
- Look ahead
While it is true that Spring brings warm weather, it also is known for bringing lots of rain. Look ahead at the weather and plan accordingly. Days that you know are not going to be days you want to be outside, plan to get your homework done. That way, when it is warm and sunny, you have already gotten most if not all of your homework done.