Embracing Fall Foliage

By Nefertiti Nzameyo | Published November 18, 2023

Nature follows a rhythm of its own, and from birth, individuals live through the inevitable inconsistencies. How people react to changes in the environment around them will never affect the science of why these events occur, so instead, they are forced to adapt. 

September is a month of lifestyle and environmental transition. As Kean students prepare to be back in classes, they experience cooler temperatures, earlier sunsets, and peaks of color emerging on the vast tree life around them. Fast forward to a few weeks later, and many find themselves struggling to balance and attend to the needs of their school, work, and personal lives.

Students may participate in activities to help ground themselves, such as going to the gym, being an active club member, and hanging out with friends. However, these methods may target one area and, in turn, put more stress on their responsibilities as a student.

Shifting the focus to how nature can heal and strengthen will promote a significant fondness towards the environment and outlook on daily life. Kean University’s campus in Union, New Jersey, boasts trees that become vibrant during Autumn and several outdoor seating areas where students can indulge in the beauty of nature.

An article by well.org titled “How The Falling Autumn Leaves Benefit Our Mind” discusses how the season’s atmosphere “pushes the mind to start taking on new challenges, alleviates stress, strengthens connections, triggers nostalgia, humbles the proud and inspires the creative and makes exercising easier.” 

Mid-late October is when students and professors feel the weight of assignments gradually building up, which calls for ways to put their minds at ease.While it may be easy to complain about feeling a loss of control, taking a step back and embracing the presence of nature will reap feelings of contentment. 

Richard Nzameyo, a sophomore at Kean, said, “Spending some time outside on campus is a priority of mine, especially now. I find peace in journaling, completing assignments, and facetiming friends in my favorite outdoor spots.”

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