As temperatures drop, Greenhill students are adjusting to winter in different ways, from changes in daily routines to shifts in campus energy. Shorter days and colder weather have altered how students spend their time, both in and out of the classroom.
For some students, winter brings a change in style.
“While I am not a huge fan of the cold, I like it because it means I can wear hoodies and sweaters to school,” freshman Nia Mehta said.
Others notice changes in their daily habits.
“Now that it’s winter, it is so much harder to get out of bed each morning,” freshman Lekha Chavala said. “I really wish we could go back to the warmer weather.”
Beyond clothing and sleep schedules, many students say the shift to shorter days affects their motivation and energy levels. With the sun setting earlier, afternoons can feel longer and more tiring.
“When it gets dark so early, it feels like the day should be over even when we still have homework and activities to do,” Mehta said. “It makes it harder to stay motivated after school.”
Senior Irina Li says that the lack of daylight can make schoolwork feel harder to manage.
“I get home and it’s already dark,” Li said. “It’s a little more demotivating during winter, especially with daylight savings [time].”
Winter also changes how students use campus spaces. As outdoor areas become less appealing, students spend more time indoors, which some feel affects social interaction.
“I think it does change the energy of Greenhill as a whole,” sophomore Wilson Heeringa said. “A lot of the outside spaces don’t really exist anymore, so everything moves inside, and that’s a lower-energy environment. You have to be quieter, and the cold kind of dampens everyone’s energy.”
Heeringa says that winter makes students less social overall.
“People interact a lot less because those shared spaces aren’t there,” he said. “At least for me, I’m just grumpier when it’s cold, so I’m less sociable.”
Still, some students find small comforts in the season by looking at simple traditions that make winter more enjoyable.
“The cafeteria handing out hot chocolate is something I really like,” Li said. “And winter break helps a lot. Winter is really beautiful and fun, especially if you are hanging out with friends.”
While winter at Greenhill brings colder temperatures and shorter days, students continue to adapt, whether by finding comfort indoors, adjusting routines, or leaning on small moments of warmth to get through the season.
