As usual, it’s been a long, grueling winter in Berrien Springs. Now that April is upon us, spring is beginning to make an appearance, and our students and staff couldn’t be more excited.
Kara Nangle (freshman, animal science) always feels more productive when spring arrives. “I enjoy warmer weather because it improves my mood and makes me want to do more things,” says Kara. Just like Kara, seven of 10 people report feeling more spontaneous and motivated when the warmer weather rolls around. Increased sunlight and warmer temperatures raise our serotonin levels, which, in turn, improve our moods and energy.
Professor Emely Poloche is also fond of the spring weather. She is from Venezuela, a country where warmer temperatures are the norm. She looks forward to hiking and camping with her family, and gardening. Her favorite part of spring is seeing all the plants growing again.
“Seeing all the green around is beautiful, and just reminds me how wonderful of a God I have, who makes everything new,” says Poloche. “It gives me hope that He can make my heart new again.”
Hayley Rawls (sophomore, speech language pathology) overwhelmingly prefers the warmer months. Like Poloche, Hayley loves hiking and is jubilant about seeing the dandelions and wildflowers. When the weather is good, Hayley enjoys paddleboarding, kayaking and going to the beach with family and friends. She detests cold weather and is thrilled to see spring. January is her least favorite month.
“Being cold is almost a painful feeling,” says Hayley. “It’s like my skin is extra sensitive, but in the most uncomfortable way possible. Also, the lack of sunshine doesn’t do well for my mental health.”
Hayley’s sentiments are common. Roughly 41% of Americans feel their moods dim as winter sets in. Professor Sable Canales, however, is not among them. She loves the beauty of the winter snow and is glad for a time with fewer bugs and reptiles. Even so, she’s not immune to enjoying the season. Canales loves to hear the birds chirping and see the beautiful trees and flowers. She often picks fruits during spring, which she uses to make jams. Canales also enjoys playing sports and going shopping in outdoor markets and malls. Although Canales is not spring's biggest fan, she's made quite a few happy spring memories during her childhood. “During spring break, we’d visit family and spend time playing board games, talking, and baking,” she said.
When Poloche was a child, she spent the spring with her beloved family. “My family and I would visit my grandma and spend a whole week at her house,” she says. “We’d also go to the beach and visit my aunts—my dad’s sisters.”
Hayley’s favorite spring memory involves an easter egg hunt she did with her friend when they were small: “I remember finding a lot of eggs and getting candy.”
Kara has loved spring weather since she was a little girl. Like Hayley, she would spend time outside with friends. “Once, when I was little, my friend and I put sprinklers on her trampoline and jumped until we were soaked. It was such a fun time,” she said. Spring is a perfect time to reminisce on these fond memories.
Although the weather in Berrien can be fickle, we can always look forward to spring weather. So the next time you’re walking through another cold wave on the way to class, think of the warmer weather that awaits you, and the fun times that will follow.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.