Picture this: You wake up early one morning to find that it’s absolutely pouring outside. The weather is cold, the sky is gloomy and your bed is warm and inviting, and so the motivation to attend classes or get some work done is nonexistent. Most people detest rainy days on campus. And fair enough — they can be inconvenient. But they are also a rare luxury in SoCal, and there are ways to enjoy a perfectly rainy day while still managing to get your work done. All you have to do is romanticize life a little bit.
Put on a cute outfit, and have your main character moment as you walk to your next class. Throw on those headphones, hold that umbrella up high and strut through Bruin Walk like you’re a movie star. From the brooding evergreens to the old brick buildings reflecting off the shiny glass puddles, embrace the cinematic atmosphere that the rain creates for maximum rainy day feels. Stop for a moment to admire the soft, misty campus skyline atop Janss Steps, and note how the main campus can feel quite peaceful with fewer people around. Watch the rain patter from under one of the big trees in the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden to just listen, and breathe as the whole place transforms into something quiet and poetic.
Finding a cozy study nook to huddle up in between classes is crucial. As you type up your next paper, settle down beside a hot drink at Kerckhoff Coffee House to gaze out of the stained glass windows at the rain pouring onto Royce Hall. Jimmy’s Coffeehouse can be a good alternative on extra busy days when Kerckhoff is all filled up. Alternatively, you could hide away inside one of the reading rooms at Powell Library to enjoy the energy of dark academia. Soak in the old, warm and dark vibes for the ultimate blend of nostalgia and comfort.
In the end, rainy days don’t have to be miserable. They can be an opportunity to slow down, breathe and enjoy the beauty of campus from a different hue. By changing the way we look at them, we can nurture a quieter, calmer workflow while learning to change and adapt with our surroundings.
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Featured Image via BruinLife Archives
