I remember the first 60 degree day of this semester. Penn State students had endured a harsh winter, and schoolwork wasn’t making the season any happier on campus. Just about everybody had enough of bundling up to go outside and nightfall at 5 PM. However, the sun did eventually shine through the grey sky, and to say the student body was appreciative would be an understatement.

The spirit among the dorm halls reminded me of the excitement caused by the first snowfall of the year. When the temperature outside became reasonable after months of frigid conditions, campus was bustling with energy. I have always recognized the importance of green space, but never have I appreciated it as much as I did that first warm day in State College. The HUB lawn appeared like a scene from a movie; it was surreal how busy the area was and how happy the students were. Some students threw footballs or frisbees, others tanned or sat on blankets. I of course made sure my homework was in good shape before partaking in any outdoor fun, but after I confirmed that all my assignments were completed, I ventured over to the HUB, only 300 feet from the door of Simmons Hall. There, I saw members of my business fraternity with two Spikeball nets set up. For those who aren’t familiar with the game of Spikeball, it’s a classic lawn game and maybe the most fun of its kind. After finding a partner to play with and waiting five minutes for our turn, I made it on one of the nets. My partner and I left the lawn with a record of 2-1, defeating two very strong teams and putting up a great fight against the last.

Although Penn State students clearly enjoy warm weather, we appreciate winter sometimes as well. I recall when it started snowing at the end of the fall semester. The first time a snowflake fell to the ground, Christmas music was blasting throughout my dorm hall, and students rushed to the HUB lawn to play in the snow. My friends and I ended up rolling a giant snowball, only for it to split in two the moment we climbed on top of it.

Just this past weekend, the weather was beautiful again, and I happened to be really proactive with my homework throughout the week, so that wasn’t a concern. I awarded myself a well-earned break on Saturday and brought my hammock to the HUB lawn along with a football and my backpack. I set up my hammock between two sturdy trees near the building, and I stored my equipment at the base of the lower tree. This was around 11 AM, and nobody was on the lawn. However, the scene was anything but desolate and unwelcoming; bird songs filled the silence perfectly. The sound of a woodpecker fascinated me as I listened from my hammock. After an hour or two had passed, my friends were finally convinced to join me, and they brought snacks, blankets, and a Spikeball net. With my friends came a crowd of other students, and the HUB lawn became close to what it was on the first 60 degree day of this semester again.