Owen Whaley ‘24
Chief News Editor
Image Courtesy of CollegeVine
Spring is on the horizon, and you know what that means: emails from professors reminding you to spend some time outside and enjoy the warm weather this weekend. Also, don’t forget to finish reading all of Joyce’s Ulysses by Sunday.
“Be sure to enjoy the fresh air today,” your professor writes to the class, moments after posting a new Canvas assignment. “I know I will.”
Who doesn’t love spring on the Hill? The flowers are in bloom. The trees are green with life. A warm breeze brushes gently over campus. And you – lucky you – get to enjoy it all from inside your muggy dorm room (even better if you don’t have air conditioning), eyes bloodshot as you type up 2 discussion posts and a 4,000-word research paper.
This is the stuff promotional pamphlets are made of. Not students throwing frisbees or picnicking on manicured lawns. No, you and your roommate, surviving on nothing but two cans of Celsius and five hours of sleep, fighting with every fiber of your being to make a Sunday night deadline.
You perch open your window. There’s nothing between you and the outdoors but a flimsy screen. A gentle breeze whisks against your face.
That’s as close as you’re getting to enjoying the weather this weekend.
You exit your last Friday class. “Thanks, professor.” The warm air hits you like a blanket as you make your way out of Stein. Winter is over. Brighter days are here. As you trudge back to your dorm, you imagine all the time you’ll spend outdoors over the coming days.
No. Back to work.
“Have fun this weekend,” your professor replies before you’re out the door. “And be sure to get some sun.”
You won’t be getting sun this weekend.
Copy edited Lauren Backstrom
Featured Image Courtesy of Youth Employment UK
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