Usually, the fall months are synonymous with beautiful leaves, crisp air and apple picking. The quintessential fall activity, however, is curling up inside with a book and a cup of tea. Bucknell students are still curling up in their dorms, perhaps not with a book for pleasure, but definitely with class readings! Unfortunately, this fall, many other seasonal plans have been dampened—no pun intended—by the relentless rain that has refused to let up.
The Northeast was fortunate to avoid the worst of Hurricane Helene’s devastation, which hit the Southern U.S. far harder. However, the lingering effects of the hurricane have left Bucknell with days of continuous rain, and the forecast shows no sign of the clouds parting. Sophia Pomponio ’26 shared, “the gray and eerie weather is making me so unmotivated. I can’t wait to see the sun again.” There has been a noticeable shift in campus mood from the warm, sunny days of August, when students arrived back at Bucknell, to the recent days marked by overcast skies and constant showers.
This nonstop rain has taken a toll on Bucknell’s students. Many are dragging their feet to class, and overall motivation seems low. Attendance in classes has noticeably dwindled, and on several occasions, I’ve had to force myself to get out of bed. Pomponio also mentioned that the weather might be impacting her physical well-being, saying, “I have to push myself to keep up with my routine. My motivation to do homework or go to the gym is practically nonexistent.”
Last Tuesday, in particular, there was a downpour just as my 10 a.m. class was about to start, leaving only a handful of students present in what is normally a large class. The gloomy weather has definitely put a damper on campus life.
It’s no secret that weather significantly affects people’s moods. Seasonal depression, typically associated with the colder months, may be setting in earlier than usual this year due to the persistent rainy conditions. Pomponio remains hopeful, though, saying, “I still love fall and all the fall activities like hayrides and pumpkin picking. Since that’s not really possible right now, I’ve been making lists to help me deal with the stress.”
Even Ava Stallmeyer ’26, who I consider to be quite optimistic, has noticed the gloomy weather affecting her mood. She admitted, “I feel so much more tired all the time. I wake up, and it doesn’t even feel like morning because it’s so dark out.” She’s also faced the less-than-ideal experience of walking to class in the pouring rain, saying, “when I’m walking home, getting completely drenched, it’s definitely not the happiest part of my day!” Stallmeyer’s words resonate with other students who are finding it harder to manage their responsibilities as the rain dampens both their clothes and their spirits.
While fall is usually a time for outdoor activities and enjoying the crisp weather, this season’s gloomy skies and relentless rain have left some Bucknell students feeling stuck indoors, their energy and motivation sapped by the endless gray days.
But despite the constant rain, it’s crucial for students to keep pushing through. Weather affects our mood, but we can’t let it dictate our productivity. While it’s easy to let the dreary conditions get the best of us, we need to focus on maintaining our routines and finding new ways to stay motivated. Perhaps it’s a chance to enjoy more of those cozy indoor moments—reading a book, drinking tea or catching up on homework. As hard as it may be, using this time to adapt and embrace the indoor quiet might actually foster a new kind of productivity.
Ultimately, the rain will end, and the sun will return. Until then, students need to stay focused and remind themselves that perseverance, even during challenging times, is part of the college experience. The weather may dampen our spirits, but it doesn’t have to dampen our drive.