This winter, like all typical Penn State winters, has been painful and seemingly unending. On Wednesday, we were at least granted with a snow day, the first in seven years. But it’s time to emerge from your blanket and Netflix hibernation because we come bearing good news.

Happy Valley is about to get a whole lot happier because spring has finally sprung. Although you may not have noticed, fear not. Here are five ways you know the polar vortex is behind us.

Soaking In The Rays

Flowers are blooming, the grass is green, and Old Main is looking just like the postcards sent to prospective students. Between frisbee, studying, and napping the lawn is littered with people all soaking up the sunshine.

Outdoor Learning

Group projects are no longer awkwardly held in someones messy apartment or in the overcrowded HUB. There is plenty of space for students everywhere to gather and discuss class assignments. Young intellectuals are sure to be spotted around campus debating their ideas and cramming with group members in hopes of an A.

Sunny Selfies

Gone are the days of walking to class looking like a bundled marshmallow, wearing every article of clothing you own underneath. No longer do you fear hypothermia or losing feeling in your extremities. There is plenty of time to enjoy the walk to class and take as many selfies as your phone storage will allow. You are sure to see and potentially photobomb many.

Penn State *IS* A Playground

It’s no secret that class attendance is inversely related to weather. After making the bold decision to forgo class there are endless possibilities with how to spend your time.  What better way than playing hide and go seek on campus. You are sure to see many “adults” releasing their inner child and taking on University Park as their own personal playground.

Lounging In The Light

It’s been months of nothing but gray skies and precipitation. You’ve forgotten what warmth outside of the confines of a building even feels like. Then, out of nowhere, the sun reemerges! You’ll see plenty of people lounging on benches enjoying the rays that everyone thought would never come.

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There’s nothing wrong with dreaming, right? Don’t worry, spring will arrive eventually…we hope. But for now, we’ll stay in the land of make believe until it does.

Photos by Steffen Blanco