04/18/2025 | Press release | Archived content
The Civic X EarthFest will be on April 23.
Though it comes every year, spring never ceases to surprise. Are you feeling ready to shake off your winter haze and come back to life just like the trees? Humans may not hibernate like bears, but we all need a wake-up call sometimes. Here are some tips for rejoining the world after winter.
Whether you're pulling yourself out from a winter quarter filled with deadlines, stress and more deadlines or coming back from campus after co-op, spring is always a good time to find some more community. There are plenty of tools to help you get involved in campus life, from DragonLink to the weekly email Mario's Wednesday Word, both of which offer a laundry list of upcoming events from student organizations, many of which focus on specific academic interests or majors, as well as extracurricular interests. For bigger events both on and off campus, keep an eye on the Campus Activities Board (CAB) Instagram.
If you're interested in getting civically or environmentally engaged, Civic x EarthFest is coming up on April 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Lancaster Walk. It's hosted by Drexel Climate & Sustainability and brings together several student organizations and local businesses to share the word on how to get involved.
If it's been almost or more than a year since your last check-up, it's time to assess your health. It's important to connect with your primary care provider annually to monitor your blood pressure and get a physical exam and blood test. Luckily, if you're going to Drexel's Student Health Center, it's fairly easy to get in for an appointment, and there are resources to help you do it.
Tree pollen is the big criminal right now - you've probably seen it piling up in puddles and on the sidewalk. To avoid confusing allergies with a cold, take note of where in your body you're feeling symptoms. Allergy symptoms will affect your nose, ears, eyes and throat, but cold symptoms often are accompanied by aches all over your body or even a fever. To avoid allergens, keep windows closed, change clothes after arriving home and consider wearing a face mask. You can also take over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants to relieve symptoms, but consider asking your doctor which medication might be right for you.
The Gateway Garden provides floral vistas.
Everyone needs to clear the cobwebs (literal or metaphorical) every now and then, and spring cleaning is a cliche for a reason. As the world is coming back to life, bring your spaces back to life by clearing out the excess from your physical space or your digital spaces. Clear out old clothes and donate them, either to a local charity or thrift store or to the Too Good to Toss program, which is run by the residence halls and happens at moveout. Remove the clutter from your laptop's desktop and delete any old apps, notes or photos you no longer need - you'll feel lighter once you do.
If you're feeling that you just need a short burst of a spring refresh, try GYLIO, or "get your life in order," which Rebecca Signore, executive director of University Academic Support and part of the Academic Resource Center (ARC), recommends for students at any time. It's perfect for co-op or academic life, and includes setting goals, sticking to a plan and adjusting as needed.
If you can withstand the pollen in the air, it's a beautiful time to be outside (when it's not chilly or raining, of course). Campus is blooming with flowering trees, like dogwood (seen at the Rush Garden), okame cherry trees (seen near Lancaster Walk), honey locust trees (seen near the Summer/Winter Community Garden) and more. You can also stop by the Gateway Garden at 32nd Street and JFK Boulevard to take in the landscaping as it begins to bloom with tulips and more.
The area around the University City campus has plenty of green spaces, many of which have their own calendars of events like Cira Green or UCity Square. Cira Green, a park 12 stories up on a rooftop, hosts Sunset Social, which brings drinks, food and events to the park; it's officially open for the season. UCity Square hosts a beer garden on Wednesdays and Thursdays, food trucks on Thursdays, yoga on Wednesday evenings and more.
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