In this file photo, students are seen sledding on Horsebarn Hill after the “Snowmaggedon 2015” snow storm in late-January 2015. (File Photo/The Daily Campus)
Edward: When you think of the iconic winter landscape, it’s cool, with frozen trees and warm jackets. But most importantly, there’s snow, and that’s just one reason that I love snow storms. You sit inside, drinking hot chocolate and wrapped in a blanket, watching the flurries swirl around outside. Even for those left in the cold, there’s a sense of kinmanship. Any person on the street would agree with you if you said, “Man, it’s freezing out.”
But snowstorms also bring a feeling of relief, because every storm carries the great opportunity for a snow day. These are absolutely crucial to students’ mental health and I have yet to meet a single person who will outright criticize snow days. Snow days, too, are a chance for bonding among friends, whether in building a snowman or a snowball fight or even relaxing indoors. For all these reasons, snow storms are one of the things I’m most looking forward to about winter.
Angelina: Well, Ward, it looks like you have met your match. Snowstorms are all good and fun after the first couple of times in the season, but once February hits everyone is waiting impatiently for it to be spring. I cannot lie though, “watching flurries swirl around outside,” while sipping on some hot cocoa and cocooning myself in a warm blanket are things I do look forward to during winter, but after Christmas is over my desire for a wintery New England fades fast.
My birthday is unfortunately placed at the end of January – peak snow storming times. I cannot tell you how many times I have had to cancel birthday plans because three feet of snow decided to crash my party. Snow days aren’t a feeling of relief; they’re inconvenient and annoying. Plus, this is UConn, did you forget snow days are pretty much nonexistent here?
Edward: While I understand that inclement weather can result in some sad childhood memories, I would counter that far more happy memories are made when children can have snowball fights. That tradition carries on into college, as I’m sure many of our readers will know. Let’s not forgot that UConn got multiple snow days last year as well as the cancellation of some afternoon classes.
Spring is a boring time of year for me, frequently inundated by days where you’re not sure if it’s warm enough to wear shorts or cold enough to wear a jacket. It’s a time of allergies and often finals, whereas every week in winter brings the potential of a canceled class.
Besides, students that go to the UConn are tough, and bearing the harsh winds of winter is just another way that we all form a communal bond, unpleasant though it may be. Winter is the one season that brings us together and makes us stronger, and that is why you cannot refute that snow storms are fun.
Angelina: Let’s not forget that UConn does a terrible job at plowing and cleaning up the sidewalks. Yeah, a snow day here and there to remind us of our childhood is fun, but it’s not fun when we have to walk to class the next day knee deep in snow and trying not to slip on ice.
After New Years there is nothing else to look forward to except spring. Longer days, sunshine and warmer temperatures gets everyone on campus out of hibernation. When the first warm day rolls around, you can bet that every spot of grass on campus is preoccupied by someone soaking in the sun or throwing around a Frisbee with his or her friends. Let’s not forget that spring break is also right around the corner.
Furthermore, sunshine has so many benefits to our mental health and well-being. A simple Google search can link you to countless studies pointing out how the sun is proven to make us happier.
Need I also mention that despite having to study for finals in the spring, the nice weather means that darty season is upon us and nothing forms a better “communal bond” than a good darty. So sorry not sorry, snow storms are not fun.
Edward Pankowski is life editor for The Daily Campus. He can be reached via email at edward.pankowski@uconn.edu.
Angie DeRosa is a staff writer for The Daily Campus. She can be reached via email at angelina.derosa@uconn.edu. She tweets @theangiederosa.
