Has spring finally sprung? The great outdoors is certainly blossoming and I, for one, have been able to shed my winter coat and gloves once or twice already. Soon enough we will be constantly showered with warm, sunny spring weather, and for those of you hibernating BSU Bears who have managed to forget how wonderful this season is, consider this a complete guide to your journey back into spring!
What is the best course of action when the weather warms up? Get outside! Enjoy the beautiful, amiable weather (and do it now, before it turns into a sweltering summer). You've been cooped up indoors with the windows closed for months, so now it's time to get some fresh air with your friends, family or significant other. Stop and smell the roses; go for a nature walk, by yourself or with others. The birds are back--have you heard them? Hint: try taking out your earbuds. Your nature-hearing abilities will be greatly improved. See how many distinct birdcalls you can pick out on the way to class. Birds aren't really your "thing"? Look at the flowers, watch the trees dancing in the wind, or just enjoy feeling the sun on your skin. Remember how last month your excuse to not exercise was that the gym was too expensive or it was too cold outside? Well, here's the great news: now you have a free gym, and it isn't too cold! You can jog around the block without getting frostbite. You're welcome.
Do you lack free time? Of course you do. I know that. But that's no excuse to pass up an opportunity to spend time in nature. The years are speeding up--can you even remember the last time you were outside just to enjoy being outside? I'm pretty sure it's been a few years for me. So let's fix that, shall we? Take your schoolwork outside. You have to read a book for class? Find a nice bench; BSU has spent our tuition building a park in the middle of campus with tons of them! If the weather is especially nice, I'll be sure to snag a seat for myself. No one said we have to toil away in a stuffy dorm room. As a bonus, it will be nice to shut my phone and get off my laptop for a few hours, while still being productive.
One of the greatest things about tolerable temperatures: free dates! As a broke college student, I have no desire to spend my life savings on dates with my friends or my boyfriend. Fortunately, the weather will soon be so comfortable that we will be able to go for a walk in the park and have a picnic. It's a classic, old-timey, inexpensive, but still romantic date idea. Additionally, people on campus have already begun to take advantage of the rising temperatures by tossing around a football or a frisbee, and it won't be long until groups of students spread blankets on the grass for group homework time--who said we can't balance social time, school work and fresh air?
My favorite benefit of springtime, however, is the spring and summer wardrobe that I can pull out from the back of my drawer again. The sweatshirt and winter coat, which have become staples of my outfit, will soon replace the sundresses that are collecting dust in my closet. Shorts and tank tops will come out of hiding, and flip flops will once again conquer the pavement. What about you? What is your favorite way to celebrate the warm season? Give me some ideas for the upcoming months!
