| Written by Aaron S. |
Campus life has many different stages and movements throughout the year, and some of the greatest paradigm-shifts in your experience at college can be found between the fall and spring semesters. To many students, fall and spring each house their own vibe; for others, it all blurs together. Whether you realize it or not, there are some over-arching mood swings and obvious physical distinctions that can define these two terms in your mind.
1. Campus Energy
When I first came to Rutgers–Camden, it was a new environment and everything was fresh. I was so ready for classes and to takeover the world—and that’s the general atmosphere of the campus for the first few months. Everyone is grinding, focusing on their grades, making sure their schedules are in line as they’re getting into the workflow of school, work, and extracurriculars. In some cultures, fall is the beginning of the calendar year and not just the academic year.
However, after winter break—when everyone is returning from out of hibernation—the energy of the campus switches into something entirely different. Because there wasn’t a three-month recess before the spring semester (like there is before the fall semester), spring classes are generally less stress-inducing in the beginning. Students are back on campus with new stuff, new memories, and new lessons learned to share with each other, thus making spring semester a way more familiar, relaxed period of time.
2. Momentum
The fall semester is usually a initiation period: a time for students to warm up to their professors and the course material. After having a third of the year away from classes, I find starting the fall semester can sometimes feel like jumping into a pool. When you jump in, at first you’re instantly chilled; however, as you move, work, and focus, you eventually get used to the temperature. And then, before you know it, its time to hop out again.
On the other hand, spring semester is like getting your teeth worked on because you have to sit through it and you’re just waiting for it to end. It feels like it can take forever because, 1. the whole country loses an hour of sleep somewhere in the mix, and 2. the days are literally getting longer. Up until the Summer Solstice in June, the amount of daylight time per day gradually increases, so—yanno—fun fact.
3. Weather/Astrology
The weather can drastically affect your mood, work ethic, and what you decide to do in your spare time. For instance, in the fall, while it still may be warm, the shortening days drive you to go inside earlier and earlier every day (#NapSeason). Netflix becomes a staple for rainy days.
Despite its name, spring semester is usually overcome with snow days. Most of the snow we get in New Jersey starts around mid-January and weird weather patterns last as late into the semester as April. This past spring we had snow on April 10, a full week after my birthday, which was crazy. I’d have never though that would happen.
4. Fashion
Since I live on campus, one of the biggest parts of my college experience is what I wear. Living in the res-halls gives me the luxury of waking up and having that extra time to prepare for the day, unlike how much time a commuter might have. Dressing for fall is a breeze. I rock neutrals with a versatile sneak game and I get to dress in layers, so that means hoodies everyday. I’m a photographer, so I love paying attention to Philly Fashion Week, as well as New York Fashion Week, which are both happening in September.
In the spring, I have to be frugal with what I put on, as to avoid pit-stains, sweat beads on my forehead, and frizzy hair. To those people who like to just wear shorts and sandals everyday, I say “Cool.”
5. Holiday VS Travel
The fall semester is home to a lot of people’s favorite holidays. You have a few Jewish holidays, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Halloween, Election Day, Diwali, Veteran’s Day, and—my personal favorite—Thanksgiving. Then there’s December, which can feel like its own year with all of the holiday-hype that comes along with it.
The spring semester vibes is more geared toward travel and experiencing life outside of your usual quarters. Rutgers–Camden is known for their Learning Abroad trips, when you take a class that meets a few times over the semester and then, during spring break, you get to fly to international destinations like Cuba, South Africa, Germany, etc. to top-off your learning experience.
6. Football VS Basketball
So, this one might not seem like a big deal but, sports will definitely influence the flow of your work. In the fall, the culture and conversation lean on everything NFL-related. Over winter break and into spring semester, slowly-but-surely, Super Bowl-hype turns into NBA-All Star-Weekend-hype. It’s these subtle differences that give semesters a different flavor each go-around.
7. Greek Life
Rutgers–Camden Greek Life is usually a little more chill and collected during the fall semester. With the influx of new students, they tend to lay back and let that wave of new students decide what they like about each Fraternity and Sorority.
Come spring semester, Greek Life morphs into a bustling hot topic on campus and many students are thinking about pledging. This time of year is also riddled with Greek events and fundraisers on campus.
8. #HappyHolidays VS #SunsOutGunsOut
Every semester has that finish line at the end, the goal that keeps everyone striding and enduring to get there. During the fall semester, many people are excited for holiday season, whether they celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or even if they just enjoy looking at the decorations.
Springtime can get students anxious for free time and sunny weather. The Athletic Center tends to become more crowded, as everyone is aiming to perfect their #SummerBod.
9. New Friends and Strengthened Relationships
Coming into a new school and having new classes each semester both mean the opportunity to create new connections. For me, fall represents new beginnings. Over time, you may start to invest energy and time into different relationships to strengthen them. That’s why in the spring, people begin settling into their habits and start building off of the foundations they’ve set in the fall.
All-in-all, these nine comparisons aren’t the only things you may notice about the semesters you spend working toward your degree at Rutgers–Camden. Your experience will vary every year, every week, every day. So if you have a comparisons you’d like to bring to light or have any questions about my experience, leave a comment! I look forward to you reaching out.