It’s that time of year again: cherry blossoms. To many it is known as spring quarter, to others it is known as tourist season. It is a time when the entire Seattle community swarms to the University of Washington Quad. The iconic trees circle the walkway that thousands of students use on their way to class. Over-crowdedness is an understatement.

Ten minute passing periods are simply not enough time to make it across campus for your next class. Vexed undergraduates push past wedding photoshoots, family portraits, and children and dogs that have been forced into absurd outfits. It takes all the effort in the world not to yell at sluggish visitors occupy the entire walkway.

White flower pedals decorate the university as well-groomed grass becomes muddied from incessant footprints. It is impossible not to accidentally photobomb a picture or find yourself being randomly photographed on purpose. Strangers stop you mid-stride to ask for directions, however it is unbeknownst to them that students have a life outside the infamous flowers.

The sun remains hidden in the Seattle sky, yet parkas and down coats are shed in order to create the perfect Instagram-worthy picture that your feed so desperately needs. Rough winds and unending mist do not shake the tourists that have traveled so far to witness the buds that have flourished since the quarter began.

Despite the fact that you have to leave for class twenty minutes in advance, the view makes walking to the two hour lecture far more inviting than in previous seasons.

At the end of the day, however, we just want the normal, peaceful surroundings to be bestowed back to our Quad.