As we transition from winter to spring, Paly students are noticing changes in their academic and personal lifestyles, motivation, and overall mental health. Junior Oakley Koegler sits on the quad, soaking in the first sunny day of spring while working on his math homework. Koegler said as the weather warms up, he feels more motivated to work.

“(Time) outside makes the time inside studying less of a drag,” Koegler said. “In general, warmer weather gives me more energy, makes me happier to do things. (It) reminds me of summer, where you’re free and you have fun.”

Senior Ella Segev, however, said she has a different experience.

“When it’s sunny, I’m obviously going to be more inclined to go do stuff in the sun,” Segev said. “It’s also turning from cold to hot. So I want to … take advantage of it. And I want to go be with my friends, go get food or play something rather than (study).”

Junior Poppy Morrison said for her, warmer weather can go either way, but helps remind her that summer is approaching. 

“I find it both easier and more difficult,” Morrison said. “On the one hand, I feel a little bit more motivated because it is the home stretch before summer, but on the other hand, when it is sunny out, I want to be outside and doing fun things.”

History teacher Christopher Farina said in his experience, students become less focused near the end of the year as the weather usually gets warmer and sunnier.

“I know that there’s some research on temperature,” Farina said. “When you’re cooler, you tend to feel a little bit more alert. When you’re warm, you tend to feel a little bit more groggy.”

Many studies have shown that when it is hot outside, bodies have to work overtime to keep cool, displaying how some students could lose focus in the heat. 

Despite some students’ struggles to stay focused, the warmer weather also has mood-boosting effects

“When it’s like a rainy day or a foggy day, it’s just kind of gloomy,” Segev said.

And junior and ASB president Katie Kim said the warm weather brings more life to campus.

“I think generally many people are in a more positive mood, especially if the sun is out,” Kim said. “ASB activities typically cater towards the opportunities that warmer or colder weather brings. For example, in colder weather we tend to do more hot chocolate and (in) warmer (weather) ice cream.”

Morrison said this increase in students spending time outside helps create more of a sense of togetherness.

“During the transition to spring, because it is getting warmer and sunny out, so many more people are out on the quad playing games or just sitting,” Morrison said. “Campus just feels like one big community.”

Ultimately, Segev said this shift in weather reveals what she says is the tight-knit student body. 

“I noticed that a lot more people are during passing periods, being out more, playing spikeball in the quad or playing volleyball,” Segev said. “I really like it because it brings the campus life out and really shows the Paly community and just like a happier vibe.”