The weather has warmed up a bit here at RWU. It’s gone from single digits all the way to the upper 30s. After the windy winter we had, this might as well be 60 degrees. We’ve shed the parkas, and some hawks have even switched to shorts already. It’s safe to say we’re all happy about the increase in temps.

I cannot emphasize enough the wind this winter. If it wasn’t the coldest winter at Roger, it was definitely the windiest. As an Admissions Ambassador on campus, I spend quite a bit of time outdoors giving campus tours, feeling the effects of this unprecedented winter firsthand. One week in particular (naturally, the one where I gave 11 campus tours in an 8 day stretch) was the windiest I’d experienced in my six semesters here. I constantly joked to families that although we have a breezy campus by the water, the amount of wind we were having was unprecedented.

This was also the first time, since I’ve been here, that the snow has stuck on campus. After a month, the ice and slush have finally melted away, and for the first time this semester, the grass is on full display.

I don’t think I realized how brutal this winter was until the weather got better. Going outside and immediately tensing up was just second nature this season. Avoiding icy patches was a regular obstacle getting to class. Ice melt salt coating the bottom of my shoes was a normal occurrence, with the walkways almost never fully clear of it. By second nature, I still tense up when walking outside, only to realize I can drop my shoulders and relax thanks to the warmer temperatures. The only obstacles on my way to class are puddles (much safer than ice). My shoes stay cleaner now that the ice melt salt is no longer needed.

Of course, every New England winter is cold. But this one in particular, paired with the wind, was especially brutal. Wouldn’t you agree? In any case, I’m certainly happy the warmer weather is here to stay. That is, assuming you also believe 45 degrees can be considered “warm”.