As I looked at my weather app this past Saturday, a feeling of existential dread came over me as I noticed the stark decrease in temperatures compared to this past week. Lows of 20s and highs of 40s with rarely any sunny days bring me back to the mildest days of winter in Hamilton, which I experienced for the first time last year. During the winter months in Central New York, the only way to describe the environment is never-ending gray skies and dry, cold temperatures.
Once the beautiful lights are taken down from the trees lining Willow Path, reality sets in that these temperatures and weather conditions are here to stay. Blizzards are no longer aesthetic, but rather an annoyance — the snow did not melt last year until April. Winter boots and heavy down jackets become staple clothing items due to necessity, as the temperatures make it so that multiple, heavy layers must be worn. The uncomfortably freezing temperatures make going outside inconvenient, and the mixture of sleet, ice and snow makes the roads unsafe to drive on, making students’ options of things to do on and off campus feel even more limited. On top of that, while walking up and down the hill to class, you must be extra aware of any hidden black ice that can take you out. Nightfall begins at 5 p.m., causing campus morale to be lower than that of any other season. Once winter begins, it’s finals season before you know it, fueling the fire of the prominent seasonal dread felt by most Colgate University students.
When the winter months feel like they will never end, the temperatures gradually increase and sun-filled days become more frequent. Slowly but surely, the picnic tables on the residential quad begin to be set back up, with students infiltrating the grassy areas with hammocks, picnic towels, music speakers and spike ball matches. During the day, the quad is overfilled with under and upperclassmen listening to music and getting work done while basking in the sun. For the first time in months, the Colgate community truly feels united.
On top of things to do on campus, the range of activities in the greater Central New York area is also broadened. One of my personal favorite activities involves venturing to Lake Moraine, which is approximately three miles away from campus, and tanning with my friends by the water. Even though the lackluster “beach” – if you can even call it that – area is small, the best part of the lake lies in the great company of other Colgate students trying to enjoy as much time outside as possible before the summer break. In addition to becoming an avid lake-goer, I also found myself taking more “hot girl walks” around the more prominent Hamilton area, getting familiar with and learning to appreciate the region’s geography. I found routes around Lake Moraine and near the golf course that my friends and I grew to love and continue to take — even this fall. I also sometimes even find myself near different farms, petting the cows and other animals that may be around.
On top of going to Lake Moraine, my friends also began planning more picnics with friends, both on and off campus. The ski hill became our favorite spot to have a picnic, and we’d watch the sunset while taking in the final moments of our first year. Our favorite nights ended up being when we ordered two large pizzas from Slices (with a side of ranch, of course) and sat outside talking for hours, enjoying the warmth and each other’s presence.
Spring remains the best season in Hamilton, not only due to the increased temperatures and sun intensity, but also because it unites the Colgate community and boosts student morale exponentially. When the sun starts shining, it’s like a switch has been flipped that encourages students to enjoy their time outdoors and with fellow students. Due to this newfound energy change, most students leave Colgate on a positive note, even though spring — like winter — ends with finals season. When I left Colgate last spring, it was a hard, bittersweet goodbye; however, I gained a newfound appreciation for the environment around me and the peers I met during this time that I would never have met otherwise. Colgate spring remains unmatched and makes the months of dreary, cold weather well worth it.
