A new season is awakening on Fordham University’s Rose Hill campus. Flowers are blooming and the birds are chirping. It’s the season of rebirth. As a nature enthusiast, I had to immediately capture the flowers that started to blossom in mid-March on camera. The warmer weather, flowers and lively critters have pulled me out of my seasonal depression.
One of my favorite things that I’ve noticed is the birds continue to chirp no matter the hour. Recently, I was walking back from the library around midnight and heard chirps on the way back and it just made me smile. This week, whenever I took a moment to just be, I’d hear the birds chirping and it would trigger a smile and thoughts of a fresh start.
There’s a few things I’d recommend to fully enjoy the start of spring at Fordham. Instead of looking down at any screen while you walk to class, take a look at the beautiful flowers blooming on the trees and in the ground. There are many trees by a majority of the dorms and outside of McShane too. Even consider taking out your headphones to listen to the therapeutic sounds of nature. I love the walkway of different colored flowers leading up to the fountain by Dealy Hall. As soon as I noticed those pops of color after coming back from break, I was instantly excited. The benches by the fountain are a relaxing spot to sit and read.
Are your Keating classrooms feeling a bit stuffy? Head outside to Keating’s steps for a beautiful view of Edward’s Parade and some fresh air after class. The temperatures are still on the cooler side of what’s to come, but still enjoyable, especially to cool down after a workout. As it gets warmer we all know Eddie’s is going to fill up quickly and sometimes it’s better to just sit on some sort of concrete (like Keating’s steps) rather than grass.
Another place I love on those warm days is Martyrs’ Lawn. Grab a picnic blanket, sit on a sweater or, if you’re feeling down to earth, just lay on the grass. The perfect drink to pair this activity with is the clementine juice from Cosi — it’s a close walk from the lawn. The juice is sweet so it may help to dilute it, but it’s extremely tasty and refreshing. I don’t mean to rain on Edward’s Parade again, it’s beautiful and all, but sometimes the sheer amount of people out there can be overwhelming. You never know if a volleyball is going to hit you on the head as you try to relax. Martyrs’ Lawn is a more peaceful and less crowded option. However, it is still a good idea to stay somewhat alert because there will likely be a sport going on there as well. Speaking of sports, a perfect spring activity is being active outside. Didn’t bring a ball from home? You can borrow a ball or equipment from the Lombardi Fieldhouse in exchange for your Fordham ID.
Another good spot is the New York Botanical Gardens (NYBG) which is right across the street from campus on the side close to O’Hare. You can spend a good afternoon here with friends or even by yourself. I like to go here on Sundays as a study break when I’m going to be doing work all day. It’s an easy way to get some steps when I know I’m going to be sitting most of the day. The NYBG are currently displaying a seasonal exhibit, The Orchid Show: Florals in Fashion, where you can witness the perfectly curated floral designs by some of New York’s rising stars. It opened on Feb. 17 and closes on April 22.
All these activities are wonderful, but can be immediately worsened for those of us with seasonal allergies. I’m not a doctor and cannot provide medical advice but, for those who need it, I encourage you to take your allergy medicine and keep some tissues on hand because it will be a tough season ahead of us. A sunny afternoon outside relaxing can sound very appealing — until you realize you have watery eyes and cannot breathe through your congested nose. A good tip is to be aware of your allergies, check an allergy tracker or pollen count and pick your outdoor days wisely. Sometimes it’s just realizing you shouldn’t be under a tree that is raining pollen, as pretty and aesthetic as it may feel. Another downside of spring is some of the heavy rain that occurs. It was so windy and stormy last week, a tree fell over. I am glad I am not that tree. It’s all part of the process of April’s showers to bring May’s flowers though, right? As much as I love spring, if I had to choose a favorite season it would be fall. This is due to its beautiful fall colors without the burden of allergies, for me at least. It’s definitely a love-hate relationship with spring. I’d encourage you all to take all the precautions as you can when it comes to allergies so you can enjoy spring for all of the beauty and joy it brings. To those who don’t suffer from allergies: I envy you. To end on a positive note, I’m so excited to see Fordham’s campus in full bloom. May each bird chirp remind us of the goodness that’s to come.
