By Nicholas Kingsbury
Quick, without thinking, what comes to mind when you hear the word “spring?” Flowers? Budding trees? Comfortable breezes? Little birdies and squirrels joined in a happy chorus of…bird and squirrel noise? I don’t think I’m too far off to picture springtime as a segue into warmer, happier times-it’s summer’s little cousin. So then why is it called the “spring semester” when just walking to class in the morning makes me seriously consider lighting my ski-jacket on fire just to get some extra warmth?
Yes, winter can be a lovely time of year, but once vacation’s over and we finally sober up from New Year’s (in that order) winter can be pretty damn bleak. Think about it: dirty snow on the ground, gray skies half the time and a wind-chill fierce enough to put your rental fridge to shame don’t do much to elevate your mood. And let’s not forget being back in class. No offense to the lovely staff in this stellar school, but why do you enjoy torturing us? Anyway, my point is there’s a lot in winter that can bring you down. Fortunately, you can find solutions to any problem if you just adopt a how-to attitude rather than a this-sucks outlook on life. So in the words of the Polar Bear Club, let’s dive in.
Besides the constant cold and very angry drivers on the road, what’s one of the thing’s you’ve noticed about winter since you were in grade school? The days are crazy short. Many probably just see this natural phenomenon as a minor annoyance due to the Earth’s tilt in relation to the Sun (though the Earth is actually closer to the Sun in winter). But, fewer daylight hours may be affecting us more than we might think. Studies have shown that receiving less natural light through our eyes can screw up the chemicals in our brains, resulting in sleep problems and feelings of depression. Is it a stretch to assume that most of you feel more tired and gloomy this time of year? Well don’t doze off yet because there are ways to fight back.
If you’re not getting enough, get some more (wink). We all need more light. Get a buddy, dress warmly, and make a few laps around campus when it’s sunny out. A good 20 minutes a day of walking and talking will improve anyone’s mood. You’ll be taking in more sunlight, and at the same time the exercise will stimulate your body’s production of endorphins (feel-good brain chemicals). So that’s a buy-one-get-one-free when it comes to lifting your spirits. Have duds for friends? You’ve always got that trusty iPod to keep you company. Once you’re done, go inside for some hearty soup. Now how awesome does that sound?
It is extremely important to take in as much beauty as you can this time of year. It’s very pretty in the academic side of campus with its plethora of evergreens. You might want to schedule a stroll over there. I particularly like the area between Mason and Phillips Halls. See if you can find the Monkey Puzzle tree.
Sunlight is only part of it though. People tend to become shut-ins in wintertime-and understandably so. You’re stressed, you’re sleepy, and you just got out of a three-class stretch. The only thing you want to do right now is crawl into your dorm room and hide like an un-housebroken beagle. Fight the urge! Antisocial people are on average more anxious, overwhelmed and irritable than people who play well with others. Remember what happened to Emily Dickinson? Not only does hanging out lighten our moods, but it can also temporarily distract us from any troubles we might be stressing over. So, we must make an effort to be social whenever we can.
There are a number of things every college student should at least try out in efforts to be more social. Let’s start in your very own residence hall. By now everyone knows their resident assistant,, right? But can you joke around with them and talk to them about anything? Not enough of us are taking advantage of this potential gold mine of social networking-become friends with your RA. Most of the RAs I’ve met are very social people themselves. They have to be. So as long as you’re not the asshole of the floor, befriending them should be relatively easy.
Also, being the go-to guys/gals on campus, odds are that they are already friends with a lot of people in your building. By hanging out with your RA, you have an easier chance of meeting more people than you normally would. Plus you have the automatic commonality of being friends with the same person.
So here’s your plan of attack, schedule a board-game night with your RA, each of you inviting several people. As long as the games you pick are not lame, you should have a turnout and thus a little social powwow. Your RA will also take more positive notice of you, since your taking the initiative and setting up events (something they are required to do). Pick up Apples to Apples, and Taboo and you won’t be sorry.
Unless you’re weird, board games aren’t going to amuse you every day of the week. So here are a few other activities to bust through a woebegone winter:
Take a break from fighting your roommates for the bathroom and have some fun. Girls, carpool it over to the mall for some Starbucks and have a little shopping party. Oh my God, check out these shoes! Guys, get together and motor it over to Hooters for some gut-busting wings. Don’t get too excited, Tiger, she’s being paid to flirt with you.
Unfortunately, some believe that the only way to be social is to have your friend hold your feet up for that keg stand. If you must go to the bar, then go, but don’t let that be your only social outlet. Take some buddies to a game of pool now and then. Make it interesting and play for something like a poster or a few bucks.
Get some friends together and have a little cooking party in the dorm kitchen. Each of you can make a certain part of the meal, chat it up, and throw Shake n’ Bake at each other. FYI guys, ladies love a guy who can cook more than just cornflakes. FYI girls, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.. So make some chicken parm and pasta with that someone you want to get to know better.
Let’s recap. Sometimes winter equals a long, depressing season, but only if you let it. So remember the two “S’s” to combat the winter blues: Sunshine and Socialize. Finding the time to traipse around in the sunlight may be annoying, and being that social butterfly takes some balls, but they are fair prices to pay for a contented mind.
Nicholas Kingsbury is a sophomore economics student. You may e-mail him at