Spring Semester or Bust!

Kaylee Cochran
Kappa Kappa Gamma

After a crazy fall semester, it is reassuring to know that spring semester is far more relaxed. With our weekends dominated by football games this past fall, now we honestly do not know what to do with our free time on Saturday. Spring semester is my favorite because you are able to be more creative on how to spend your leisure time and it helps you create more experiences that you wouldn't have been able to in the fall. 

First of all, you are able to sleep later on Saturday mornings. I know this makes me sound really lazy, but this really is a luxury. When the weekend rolls around in the fall, we go out on Friday. Then, we wake up extremely early to hit up the Grove. After a long day of football festivities, we still manage to make sure to go out and celebrate. When Sunday morning arises, it is an inner war inside yourself to either stay in bed or make it to church. Usually, sleep wins because we've deprived ourselves of this all weekend. During the spring semester, Saturday morning can be used to catch up on this sleep that is so desperately needed after a week of class, exams and work. Now there is no reason that church has to be chore! 

Now that we are all rested, we can do all those activities we said we wanted to do in college (besides partying). Most of us don't realize what all Oxford has to offer. There are numerous bike trails and parks. My favorite, Lamar Park, has the most beautiful jogging trail, a lot of open space, and a gorgeous pond that holds a lot of fish. When the weather is right, nothing beats a day at this park. Also, the Oxford Depot Trail is a really unique trail that can be used either for jogging or riding a bike. Phase one of the trail is two segments of the former Mississippi Central Railroad that have been transformed into this bike trail. The Oxford trail stretches from Molly Barr to the Oxford Depot.

If going outside and getting physical is not your idea of fun, then lucky for us we live in a culturally-enriched community. Everywhere we turn, we are reminded by how many uniquely talented individuals have come out of Oxford. Southside Gallery, on the square, gives local artists an opportunity to showcase their work to the community. If you haven't stopped by and looked around, then you should before you graduate. Also, at the end of the semester is the Double Decker Weekend. This three-day festival consumes the Oxford community with art, food, history, shopping and music! This is my favorite weekend because so many talented singers and bands come and rock out the square. 

Once spring rolls around, sometimes staying in Oxford is the last thing we want to do. Oxford is conveniently located, reasonably close to some really entertaining cities. Only an hour drive to Memphis, this presents us with so much more to do. Beale Street, the Fedex Forum, and all that blues music is just a day trip away. Also, Clarksdale is right down the road which has Morgan Freeman's bar and Tennessee Williams' festival. 

Some people claim that spring semester is more boring. I think it is because they haven't indulged in what is around us. Take this semester to investigate our resources and culture. There is no place in the world like Oxford! 

Kaylee is a junior studying MS. You may contact her at kecochra@olemiss.edu.