By the time 5 p.m. rolls around, the Sacred Heart University campus is already dark. Students shuffle across the upper quad, bundling up in their long coats, with hands tucked deep into their pockets to escape the frigid air. It is obvious that the energy that once lingered outside during the warmer months has followed the students inside with their hibernation habits.
Source: Nicholas Bosticco, Staff Writer and Photographer
Sunlight stretching into the evening has given way to quick walks to class and evenings spent locking yourself in until the next meal.
“I tend to wake up later than most other people, so my days feel like a couple of hours,” said senior Javier Alicea Kahn.
Although the days are gradually getting longer, many students agree that the early sunsets and cold weather still impact their moods and energy they bring into the classroom.
“I feel less motivated to do my work in the darkness, and I end up wanting to save everything until the day after, which is not good for time management,” said sophomore Katherine Snyder.
As internship application deadlines and midterm exams approach despite the colder months, students say the mental adjustment can feel overwhelming.
Aside from noticeable effects on students’ morale, the short days and cold weather heavily impact the social habits of many students.“Sometimes I want to hang out with people, but when I notice it’s dark, I just want to go back to my dorm and start my nighttime routine,” said Snyder. “It prevents me from being as social as I can be.”
In an effort to combat these isolated feelings, often known as ‘cabin fever, ’ many students make it a priority to stay connected with their social circles.
“Hanging out with my friends, calling my parents, or moving my body, whether it’s weightlifting or yoga – really helps me stay motivated and productive,” she said.
Some students take it a step further by embracing the cold weather and still making trips off campus, whether it be a train ride to New York City or a simple road trip home.
“A night out to the city with my friends works as my ideal mental reset,” said Alicea Khan.
While winter may confine campus physically, students say it has not eliminated social connections it has simply reshaped it. As daylight slowly returns throughout the semester, many continue adjusting to the quieter rhythm of late winter.
