In Henry Thoreau’s book “Walden,” he speaks of nature’s positive influence on man and its ability to transform the ordinary and mundane. Through his relationship with nature he believes that nothing “can make life a burden to me.”
Thoreau goes to an extreme when he moves to the woods to fulfill his desire to be in the midst of nature. While moving to the woods is not plausible for a college student, especially in Texas — here are some small ways to interact with nature around campus and surrounding areas.
- Study outside: Take advantage of the cooler fall temperature and bring your studying outside. Spending time outside helps boost your creativity, and the natural light will help keep you alert and focused.
- Explore the Las Colinas ponds: Walk, run or bike to the Las Colinas ponds. It’s a great way to stay active and get off campus. You can even bring some bread to feed the ducks.
- Have a picnic with friends: Get together a group of friends and find a grassy spot on campus, and indulge in your next meal while enjoying the fresh air.
- Check out Dallas’ hill county: Escape the city and head into South Dallas to explore Cedar Ridge Nature Preserve. The preserve is filled with native trees, wildlife and flowers and spans over 600 acres with nine miles of trails.
- Go to the Las Colinas Canal Walk: Experience the peace and quiet of Lake Carolyn and the canals. If you go at sunset, you can rent a paddleboard and watch the sun set from the water.
These techniques may help you to experience the peacefulness within nature, which is a good way to boost creativity and refresh your mind before the stress of finals comes around.
