By Riley Eipp

We have just passed the peak of winter, and the campus has been draped in a thick white blanket of snow for a couple of weeks now. This brings about the question, is Oswego best in winter or summer? 

Oswego, being located in upstate New York, experiences all four seasons, each with a different magnitude depending on the year. But Oswego is known for its particularly snow and wind heavy winters from the lake effect weather off of Lake Ontario. Is this a good or a bad thing? 

Winter fanatics may argue that the snow provides prime conditions for winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and sledding. Summer fans suggest the warmer weather provides opportunities for more outdoor activities in better conditions such as walking, biking, hiking, swimming and recreational sports. In the summer though, most dorms do not have air conditioning and can be brutally hot, so winter favors this condition. But walking to class in frigid temperatures and wind chills below zero degrees can make it difficult to find the motivation to go to class each morning in the winter. Arriving to class sweaty after even a short walk to class in the summer is not necessarily favorable either. If you have been in Lanigan or Mahar Hall this semester, it can feel as hot as summer in those classrooms with all of the layers required to get to class. 

Despite all of the pros and cons for both seasons, winter causes an increase in depressive moods and seasonal depression for college students, and this can make the winter feel unbearable. Summer provides the ability to go outside whenever, participate in more exercise, enjoy nature, and travel safer than winter does, making it the best season for students to thrive in a college environment. Summer allows the pure beauty of Lake Ontario and all of Oswego to shine, and it allows students the freedom to explore the college and city!

Photo from Flickr