If you didn’t grow up in the South, you may find our Spring seasons to be confusing. There will be one day of 80 degrees and the next day it’s back to 50’s. That’s just how it works in the South I don’t know the meteorology behind it, but I know Raleigh is no exception. The days it’s “cold” again; you can shut yourself inside to study and not get distracted by the warm breeze from outside, while hoping that the warm weather returns over the weekend. At this point you might be wondering, what exactly is so good about State in Spring that I’d want to write about? Believe me it only goes up from drastic temperature swings and studying all day.
What follows are a few popular destinations and things to do when you don’t have study to or can’t bring yourself to study any more. Click on the name of any of the events for links with more information. I hope you enjoy - Happy Spring!
For the sports fans there is plenty of basketball and hockey to be had in the Raleigh area this time of year. As you may know, the 05-06 Stanley Cup Winners, the Carolina Hurricanes are based out of the RBC center just down the road from the university. If you’re on a budget (what graduate student isn’t?) they also offer discounted tickets on College Night. There are also the college teams to watch. The Wolfpack has admittedly had better seasons, but both the men’s and women’s basketball teams are fun to watch. Also, check out the NC State Baseball team, now ranked 4th in the ACC. Other spring athletic events include a 5v5 soccer tournament in support of the V Foundation for Cancer Research in March. For those more interested in nontraditional sports there is also the Carolina Rollergirls Roller Derby Team that has bouts at Dorton Arena on the Fair Grounds not far from main campus.
For those interested in green initiatives on campus, I’m a huge fan of the Campus Farmer’s Market that happens in the Brickyard on Wednesdays from 10am-3pm. They offer a great selection of products and the convenience is unbeatable. There is also an environmental film series playing at the campus cinema during March and April this year. Those more inclined to spend their free time on scholarly pursuits might be interested in the NC State Graduate Research Symposium going on the 21st of March at the McKimmon Center. There are a few students from the Agricultural and Extension Education Department that will be there showcasing the interesting work we do here so you should check it out! On the other hand, the 14th annual Service Raleigh volunteer opportunity is a great way to spend your time giving back to the local community. Service Raleigh is a student run community service organization that hosts a day of service in March where groups of volunteers are sent to a variety of sites all over the city to make an impact in a multitude of ways from tree plantings to site restoration. It is a great way to not only give back to the community, but also get to see a part of the city you might not be familiar with.
Being a self-professed plant nerd I have saved my favorite for last - the JC Raulston Arboretum. (Photo Below).
This amazing place is actually part of the University and is home to boat loads of amazing plants, winding paths to walk, and plenty of places to have picnics and lay out in the sun if you’re in need of some relaxation. A lot of the cherry trees and daffodils are already in bloom and putting on quite the show. Finally, if you happen to be a graduate student with kids of your own it’s a great place to take the young ones to explore nature!
No comments:
Post a Comment