Though the recent installment of cold and gloomy weather has seemed to put a halt on some normal activities, students on campus still have lots of activities to choose from. Whether it’s curling up with a good show or staying active, there are tons of things to do on these seemingly gloomy days.
Regarding on-campus activities, Mimi Taiwo Garcia, a freshman civil engineering major, facilitates activities at the Black Student Union as the Vice President of the freshmen council. Rain or shine, BSU offers general body meetings every week at the Nyumburu Cultural Center where students of color can participate in a themed activity as well as voice their opinions in a comfortable environment.
“Every [Tuesday and Thursday], we have general body meetings. They're five to 6 p.m. in the Nyumburu multi-purpose room. They alternate bi-weekly… so that's consistent” said Taiwo Garcia.
For students like Triya Pillai, a freshman chemical engineering student, opting for an off-campus option in D.C. can be a nice outlet for when the weather gets colder. For example, the Eastern Market, located in Washington, D.C. can be a great way to not only escape the cold but also enjoy homemade goods.
“I went to the Eastern Market stop, and we got off at the giant street market. And I was like, whoa, cool, fun, crazy. And then we looked at all the stalls and tried a bunch of like, small business stuff…[It was] really, really fun,” Pillai said.
Though the urge to curl up in the sheets and sleep is an attractive idea to seek warmth after a chilly 60-degree day, Easton Resident Assistant, Ru Subramaniam encourages students to seek activities outside of their dorm room.
“The dorms are definitely a nice, cozy place to come back to. But I think it's always good to stay active and get involved, even once the weather starts getting colder. And there's a lot of things that UMD has, so we should make the most of all the resources,” said Subramaniam.
One of the activities students can make use of includes simply staying active and working out at the gym; with Eppley offering multiple different ways to stay fit while staying inside their facility.
“So the gym offers a bunch of free fitness classes, which are very fun, and it's awesome that they're free to students. But there's [also] cycling and yoga and pilates,” Subramaniam said. “There's so many different things, so I would definitely utilize those.”
For the students who would rather reside in the comfort of their own dorm, just know that you are not alone and making use of the cozy fall weather is completely understandable.
“[I] hang out with my roommate, because we have a couple of friends on our floor so we might go to the lounge. If I really, really have nothing to do, I'll maybe call one of my friends at home if they're free or watch a show,” Pillai said.
While enjoying outdoor activities may not be an option on rainy days, gloomy weather can also be an opportunity for productivity for some students. Taiwo Garcia, for example, utilizes Pyon-Chen’s studying facilities to get work done with her friends on cold days of the week.
“I have a group of friends [in Pyon-Chen], and so for me, I don't like a really silent environment, so, like, there's always something going on, but I can just find a corner to focus in,” Taiwo Garcia said.
Though rainy days are accompanied by cold and gloomy weather, students don’t have to feel that they need to stay isolated. Whether it’s going to D.C. with your friends or significant other, staying active at the gym, or studying for exams with your peers, foggy days can still be bright.