Here Comes the Sun

Today, as I was walking down Locust with the sun beating down on me, I realized what I love about Penn. Yes, it is three days before finals start (hence my procrastinating studying by writing this!) but Penn students are not inside locked away and completely stressing out, but they are outside. They are outside running, biking, shopping, eating ice cream, and yes, even studying. It felt like the last day of school. Everyone was smiling and excited, and, in shorts!

Penn is a great campus, but so many people visit during the winter months. The campus architecture is gorgeous, but Penn isn’t really alive until it’s at least 70 degrees. It really feels like college when the Frisbees come out of the closet! Even though I am on the dining plan (as all freshmen are required to be…) there are great places to sit outside and grab lunch/dinner/dessert which go unused for so much of the year. If the weather persists, I don’t think my dining dollars are going to get much use.

I am trying to make two points: The first, Penn is really unique in that it offers unparalleled academics in a much more relaxed atmosphere. I think you’d be hard pressed to find Harvard of Princeton kids outside playing baseball with fewer than 72 hours until their next exam. The second, for all you prospectives, don’t judge Penn by your winter visits. Yes, we’re on the east coast and it is reasonably cold during the winter, but when the sun starts to shine, the campus really wakes up.

I suppose I should quit putting off my studying, as I am one of the unfortunate ones who have a 9am exam on Thursday…