Another winter storm blanketed many parts of the Northeast this week and piled more snow onto colleges and university campuses.
Some students embrace the winter months by venturing into the outdoors and participating in some seasonal pastimes. In the same week that the 2011 Winter X Games kicked off, many schools have become playgrounds for scholars who enjoy cold-weather activities.
Officials at Franklin Pierce University, which is located in Rindge, New Hampshire, have scheduled a series of on- and off-campus events for students this winter. Considering that the institution is in a prime location for snow accumulation, the school’s recreation department has built a “terrain park” in the middle of campus.
When students are not in college classes, they can head to the park to snowboard and ski. The school is set to host “Rail-Jam 2011″ on February 5, which is a day-long event that allows scholars to show off their skills.
“Its great to see our very talented students enjoying our beautiful campus and having so much fun taking part in the skiing and riding events, and their classmates who turn out to watch and cheer them on,” said James Birge, president of Franklin Pierce.
In addition, the university has a weekly Outdoor Adventure program that is open to all students. The destinations of these trips cover different areas of New England that offer activities such as skiing, winter hiking and snowboarding. Other events include indoor skydiving and rock climbing. Through this program, students who are not bogged down by their college classes can escape for the weekend and enjoy some physical activity during the winter months.
Franklin Pierce has also organized an all-night event called “The Cure for Cabin Fever.” The school’s faculty transforms a 72,000-square foot facility into a tropical paradise, bringing in sand, palm trees and mechanical sharks. Individuals can enjoy some warm-weather activities, such as beach volleyball, in the depths of winter.
Events like “The Cure for Cabin Fever” are designed for students who may be stressed out by a combination of a rigorous college education and the cold, wet weather. Colleges and universities across the U.S. offer services to individuals who suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is a mood change that occurs when the days get shorter during the winter.
At Bowling Green University, the school’s counseling center is offering tips to students who are affected by SAD, such as opening windows to let natural light into dorm rooms, avoiding alcohol consumption, getting to bed earlier in the night and engaging in activities that keep energy levels high.
About the Author:
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Guy is a Connecticut-based writer who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in new media from Fairfield University. Following graduation, he was a freelance reporter for several web-based music and news organizations. Guy is particularly interested in the advancement of online education. He is currently taking college courses at New York University (NYU) and pursuing a second degree in education.
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