Flowers blossoming, the melody of bird song in the air, bumblebees buzzing through the breeze and sun rays peeking through the trees in the Guilford quad. Springtime is finally in full bloom at Guilford College. The days are getting warmer, and the sun is getting brighter. 

“I am always excited to have more sunshine,” said Terra Roane, director of the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement (OSLE). 

Spring is Roane’s favorite season because “some days, you get a sprinkle of summer.”

First year student Renata Diaz agreed, saying that the best part about springtime is that “after it’s over, it is summer.”

Roane explained that she feels that spring weather helps to boost student morale and overall attitude. Her favorite part of spring is “seeing students happy again.” 

Roane, the director and coordinator of most of the events on Guilford’s campus, has noticed some interesting student behaviors in spring.

“I notice that students like to dress up more often when the weather is nicer, eat outside and do more things together.”

Philosophy Professor Lisa McLeod explained why she loves spring. 

“I love the spring in the South… so many trees in blossom, and the azaleas will bloom soon… we get honey bees on all kinds of little flowers,” she said. “The forsythia bush and redbud tree are two of my Southern faves!” 

McLeod’s two favorite things about springtime are being “able to take a run without having to wear jackets, and the sun being up longer!”

Spring brings joy, but, like anything great, has its drawbacks as well. For many, including McLeod, spring means allergies, especially to pollen.

“I don’t love the pollen… in the 20 years I’ve been in North Carolina, I’ve also learned to dread spring, and then fall,” said McLeod. “All kinds of pollen… I think I’ve read that we live in the pollen capital of the nation, so that’s a drag. But it is worth it, to see so many things in bloom.”

As with virtually everything else, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a change in mindset regarding the upcoming warm weather. This spring is, after all, the second one in the midst of a pandemic.

“I’m constantly thinking about air circulation when I’m not at home,” said Roane. “Even at the office, I keep the windows up typically since I share an office.”

Guilford canceled its spring break this year in the hopes of minimizing off-campus travel and the spread of COVID-19. 

“Planning self care is key since we do not have a spring break,” said Roane. 

Roane has put together a list of things to do in What’s the G for students looking for spring activities. The list includes a range of activities that you can do socially distanced with friends, or even alone, such as creating a vision board or hosting a virtual game night!

When asked about her favorite spring activities Roane said that “walking outside is a new favorite… I do also enjoy the spring fashion as well.”

As the weather gets warmer, opportunities to pass the time in relaxing and brain-boosting ways are getting broader, and the future brighter—literally. 

“Especially during a pandemic, I think students should be outside hanging out,” said McLeod. “The quad is perfect, the woods are greening up, it’s a good time to be outside for walks, talks and even Frisbee. That seems distant!”

Sophomore Liz Poole suggested kite flying as a fun outdoor activity for students.

If you have been letting social distancing get you down in the dumps, it is time now more than ever to turn that around and find creative ways to spend time in the sun. This spring and summer, use COVID-19 as an opportunity to find new ways to have fun, and hope that this will be the last spring season we have to spend in a global pandemic for a long time.