We’ve all heard of seasonal depression. Long, dry, winters, and bleak, dull falls – but what about spring?After students survive the transformation from summer to fall, the winter months bring about sulking for some, but joy for others.

Vermont is notorious for having long winters, ideal for diehard skiers, snowboarders and other adventurous folk. Lots of kids head to Killington, Pico, Okemo and other surrounding mountains religiously and make the most of their winters with the fun white stuff.
So what happens when spring starts slowly creeping around the corner?

“This time of year is always best, but spring riding is always a good time,” said junior Tom Conzo.

Conzo has been riding up at Killington since his freshman year and usually shreds once or twice a week.

Fellow junior and snowboarder Jeff Dayton, who visits the mountain just about as regularly as Conzo has a different take on the matter.

“I hate slush and mud,” he said. “I just want to get it over with, and have it be warm and nice out.”

For those students who don’t exactly prefer the fluffy flakes and below zero temperatures, spring has been a long time coming.

However, there is one thing that students can do to keep their spirits high.

“I would suggest that students take in some extra Vitamin D during the winter months,” said Castleton State College Professor Wendy Leffel.

Leffel recently had discussions with her Women’s Health Issues class about how the sun is a major source of Vitamin D, which helps our immune systems.

Not all students are suffering from a ‘spring depression’ however.

Junior Geoffrey Walker, who recently acquired a 1978 Starcraft this past summer, is eager for Lake Bomoseen to warm up.

“I’m upset there is no more ice fishing,” Walker said. “But I’ll be happy to get my boat out there.”

On another note, Castleton’s spring athletes have always gotten the short end of the stick when it comes to having nice weather to begin their seasons.

“To see the snow melting means that the lax field will be opening soon,” said senior Katelyn Greene, just one of the numerous athletes who are itching to move practices outside.

Warm sunny days won’t only satisfy the sports teams, but it seems the majority of the college community as well.

“When it’s nice out and everyone hangs outside,” Greene said. “That’s my favorite part of the year.