Sometimes, when you attend college in central Maine, it is difficult to tell whether or not spring has truly sprung. One day, the sun is shining and you’re able to break out your light jacket in place of your puffy parka, but the next, you practically fall victim to frostbite when you forget to bring your gloves with you to class.

For a few weeks, these temperature variations remind us all that there is a thin line between winter and spring, and we often find ourselves played a fool by faux-spring, thinking it’s spring when it actually isn’t. Once Colby is able to check off these 10 important criteria, we will find ourselves truly in the midst of the vernal season.

1. The Hammocks are out.

Now that it’s warming up, people are out and finding the perfect pairing of trees to set up their ENO hammocks. If you’re looking to set up your own hammock, be sure to get out early. The perfect trees including the ones between Lovejoy and Chapel lawn are almost always occupied while the sun’s out.

2. It’s Doghead season.

It’s the season for shamrocks and no sleep! Doghead is one of the best Colby traditions. To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, the entire school stays up all night to watch the sunrise from Miller Steps. Thankfully, the weather is finally warm enough at this time so we do not have to worry about freezing. The year, the only trouble was losing an hour to the technical start of spring: daylight savings.

Photo credit: Eenie Bernard

3. Miller Steps is the place to be.

Once the days get longer, Colby kids love to get outside and enjoy the sun. This means switching up your study space and trading that cubicle on the third floor of Miller to a cozy spot in the grass beside Miller Steps. On days when you might have less work, you can grab your friends to bask in the sun just for fun. Occasionally, if you’re lucky enough to have a professor that enjoys the outdoors enough, you can even have your classes there.

Photo credit: Eenie Bernard

4. Shorts sleeves and sundresses are everywhere.

The seasons aren’t the only things transitioning here when the weather finally starts turning warm. As soon as the temperature reaches the mid-40s to 50s range, fashion begins to transition at Colby, too. Bean boots start declining, and soon boys and girls alike are wearing less sweats and shorter sleeves.

5. Large iced coffee, please.

If you ask me, there needs to be a separate line for iced coffee orders in the spa on a warm day. People start carrying their iced drinks everywhere they go, and it definitely helps everyone out while they try to make it through their midterms.

6. Spring sports.

The spring sporting events are finally starting up. Watching lacrosse games becomes a great weekend activity to do with your friends. Soon enough, crowds will be tailgating and watching softball and baseball games at the new stadium!

7. Bikes are back on campus.

Sure, there are always a few brave souls who refuse to quit biking to class even in the midst of the cold, dark month of February. For the most part, however, students have their bikes tucked away inside their dorms until the snow clears and the winter wind dies down. The start to spring means that those who enjoy cycling can get back on the trails!

8. Frisbee games on Chapel Hill.

Everyone is outside and getting active again. We start to see more runners on the road, and Chapel Hill always has a Frisbee game or two going on. For the most part, it usually isn’t until late spring that you see other games like Kan Jam or cornhole starting up around the lawn, as well.

9. Dairy Cone reopens.

This one we may have to wait patiently on for now. Dairy Cone is the spring staple at Colby. Colby kids wait for the opening day from the moment it closes up in early fall. Sure there’s Gifford’s in the dining halls you can enjoy for now, but there’s nothing like a spontaneous trip to Dairy Cone at the end of the day to remind you that spring at Colby is the best time of year.

10. It’s not officially spring unless David A. Greene says it is.

All the above criteria mean nothing unless Colby President David Greene says so. And this goes for all seasons, not just spring.