As students hit their groove for the spring and the famous Pennsylvania groundhog dooms us all to six more weeks of winter, I think it is important to reflect on some teachings from Ground’s practical and student debt free critters.
If you live off-Grounds — or live on-Grounds and are impervious to housing rules — and are lucky enough to be owned by a cat, here are some moments to notice, absorb and instill.
Zoom — Like a cat seemingly teleporting out of a room, run like the floor is lava and the closest island of respite is the nearest dining hall. Let the frustration of annoying classmates or demanding professors burn with each step.
If I fits, I sits — Yes, it is acceptable to burrito yourself in all the blankets piled on your bed with a bowl of popcorn cradled in your palms. Always take time to be swaddled and cozy.
Flop — When your professors unknowingly overlap assignments or demand that you spend at least six hours a week on their class as if nothing could be more important than that one indecipherable section of the reading, you should flop. Take up as much middle-of-the-floor space as possible even if it means your roommates must walk over you. Stay like this as long as necessary.
If a troublemaking loaf with fur and paws doesn’t do it and you’ve befriended a dog instead, there are still valuable lessons, including but not limited to the following.
Sunbathe — If you spend any amount of time in windowless classrooms or the bowels of libraries, please consider star-fishing in a patch of sunlight, either on the Lawn, someone’s front porch, or on the Amphitheater’s ledges. Think of this time as a moment to recharge, soak up the wiggling waves of energy and have your daily dose of nature.
Chase the ball — Don’t be afraid to go after everything college-related with fervor. How else will you get the number one ticket at Bodo’s?
Investigate — Haven’t heard back from your professor about your incorrectly graded assignment? Find their office, hover, look for clues. What flyers do they have hanging on their door, if any? Do they typically have it out for their students or instead did they experience a lapse in focus after hours of commenting and grading? Remember to knock first.
Apart from beloved furry friends that make the semester easier to bear, students may indulge in the teachings of what I believe to be the up-and-coming mascot for the University. One of the best things about starting a new semester is seeing posts from “thesquirrelsofuva” pop up in my feed.
Scavenge — In a time of rising egg prices, no scrap can be left unturned. If your roommate has left something in the freezer so long that it’s been pushed to the back, chances are they forgot so don’t be afraid to indulge. Though, wayward slices of pizza should be left to the squirrels.
Hang tight — If classes are moving at warp speed toward midterms as you dream of warmer weather and free weekends, think like a University squirrel and hang on for dear life. Instead of gripping a tree or the walls of a parking garage, perhaps grab a roommate or trusted friend who won’t mind.
Perch — It’s imperative to return to strategic lookout posts throughout the semester. Take the wisdom of the squirrels as they squat atop fire hydrants, bicycle seats, and benches, surveying the bigger picture of their little world. Remember to do this too when you’re feeling squashed with deadlines, because I can guarantee there is something beyond them.
As it turns out, there is more to appreciate than just a laugh from the bizarre, self-assured antics of cats, dogs, and local squirrels. Their behavioral patterns illuminate new ways of thinking and living that no doubt get lost between textbook lines and among lecture slides. In one way, they serve as a reminder to access a variety of adaptations for challenging situations. More importantly, they show that there is time in each busy day to simply exist.
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