Hello, everyone! I hope you are all enjoying the beautiful spring weather that has arrived on the campus. Snow has melted, and the green vegetation are sprouting all over the place. Today, I would like to share a few spots at Andrews University to appreciate the beautiful scenery and warm weather outside.
The first spot I would like to introduce to you is the pavilion (The Grove). This small building is located across from the science complex in the woods. If you are looking for a place to take a break in nature, definitely check this place out! It is equipped with long benches and tables, and it is also quiet and distanced from the crowd. I also have a fond memory of spending Sabbath afternoon with my friends at the pavilion, so I encourage you to try the same. If you are a STEM student who visits the Math and Science complex daily, the pavilion could be an excellent choice for a study area.
Next on our list is the trail near Lemon Creek. You can find the path at the back of the campus as you pass by Burman Hall and the Pathfinder building. It is really up to you which direction you would go; take an adventure by yourself or with your friends. Flowers will be blooming in a few weeks, so taking a hike next month would be a good idea. Biophilia club is also organizing a walk with Dr. Goodwin in April, so check it out and join the group! Although this is not an option available at the moment, during pre-COVID times, Kingman Observatory also held Skywatching events every Friday or Saturday evening. If they open that option for the next school year, I recommend you sign up for a spot and visit the observatory if you are taking an evening hike.
If hiking is not your cup of tea, reading or eating with your friends at the benches located sporadically on the campus is an idea. These are some places you can find benches on campus: in front of the Student Center, between Lamson Hall and Nethery Hall, next to the Administration building, in front of the bookstore and Science Complex, and so many more! Stop by these benches as you walk back to the dorm or the library after classes. Nature can present you with some moments of serendipity in stressful times.
I would like to end the list with the Andrews University farm. If you love animals, visiting the farm and watching them running around the pasture could help you destress a lot. A variety of animals—rabbits, cows, chickens, pigs, goats, and many more—are living on the farm. So if you especially like any animal listed here, treat yourself with a break, maybe on a Sabbath afternoon, and spend time with the animals while abiding by the rules!
It has been one hectic pandemic school year, and I know it was one of the most challenging for many of us personally and academically. I hope spending time in nature in the places listed above, or anywhere else in your preference would provide the healing and encouragement we all need in our life.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.