Spring semester has kicked off and with it comes takes from students across campus.
The spring semester is better than the fall semester.
And fire is hot. Not to be snarky, but it’s about time we let go of the notion that the fall semester is far superior to the spring. The only — and I mean only — advantage the fall has is the football season. At an SEC school, that’s about all you need to explain why the fall semester even stands a chance.
When you consider the significant number of students who do not care about football, the whimsy of the fall semester quickly dissipates. Many Oxford residents, in general, despise the heavy traffic game day weekends bring, which essentially slows the city down to a grind during our biggest SEC matches. Sure it brings great exposure and an economic boost, but it’s also incredibly annoying.
Further, nobody likes the 20-minute walk from the parking lot combined with melting weather. I say that with complete confidence and a poker face as straight as uncooked spaghetti noodles — even as we experience teeth-chattering cold outside.
All of that is why fall is bad but not necessarily why spring is good or greater. Here are a few reasons:
The spring semester seems to fly by. This is generally a good thing for college students because it means the stress of classes and other obligations is lifted, at least a little bit. The faster we get to summer, the better.
While students can choose to finish their degree path in either semester, our university hosts commencement during one time of year: the spring. Therefore, the final stretch for our beloved seniors is held near and dear as students commit many “lasts.”
Spring break is the epitome of college life in many regards, as it is a week of whatever you choose to make of it. Enough said.
As a bonus, crawfish season peaks during the spring semester. Chew on that, FallHeads.
The traffic and parking are significantly better because many students don’t make it that far.
A bold claim? Yes. Do I like it? Yes. Are numbers probably available to confirm or deny this claim? Absolutely. Will I use them? Where’s the fun in that?
Seriously, though, spring enrollment at universities typically drops off due to the large number of first-semester freshmen who either transfer or drop out for a variety of reasons. While that is unfortunate, it does yield us a handful of additional parking spaces closer to the popular places on campus.
The class schedule sucks.
I concur. This is especially true for our aforementioned seniors. In a final act of procrastination, many scramble to register for the few remaining mandatory classes left on their degree plan much too late. This all-too-common scenario often paves the way for the quietly stigmatized fifth-year student. For non-seniors, the quality of the semester’s course offerings largely depends on your department.
Pollen isn’t that bad.
Someone who does not suffer from seasonal allergies clearly submitted this — how inconsiderate. I mean, God blesses you with an exemption — an immunity, of sorts — from such a common ailment. Yet you shove it in our faces while we’re incredibly uncomfortable the whole time?
Pollen allergies are incredibly common and serve as a major inconvenience to daily life for many. To write them off as not significant is dismissive. In fact, I think allergy flare ups should be excused illness days in syllabi. It would save us from the symphony of sneezes.
Justice Rose is the opinion editor. He is a senior journalism major from Madison, Miss.
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