Launda Wheatly’s yoga class takes up a small portion of the quad in the 72 degree afternoon – as students move into poses like downward facing dog and dead bug’s pose, Wheatly encourages her students to ignore the passerby’s and focus on the sounds and feel of the environment around them.

    “I wasn’t too distracted by the other people on the quad,” said Lauren Wesorick, Grand Rapids senior. “Launda told us to take what was around us and bring use it into our practice. I was too busy concentrating on my poses to be concerned with anything else.”

     As the temperature rises, the number of professors that move their classes outside for the day also seems to increase.

     “Nice weather makes people happier, which promotes learning,” said Mary Jenson, professor of psychology. “Whether or not a class will go well [when held outside], depends on the class, and it depends on the topic. Students tend to get easily distracted during lectures, and when you’re outside, it provides a greater chance for distraction.”

     Because of this, not all faculty are convinced that their classes should be moved outside.

     Charles Crupi, professor of English, said that while his students are good-natured when they ask him to transfer his lectures from Vulgamore to the quad, he prefers to stay inside.

     “I don’t like [teaching classes outside],” Crupi said. “It makes it harder to concentrate. That, and I can’t work without a blackboard.”

     However, some students think that they are more productive when they go outside.

     Janelle Thomas, Westland junior, said that she thinks that she is more likely to benefit from studying outdoors.

     “It’s easier to be distracted inside because I want to be outside,” Thomas said. “My room is pretty warm and uncomfortable, so my window is constantly open.”

     Although Lindsay Yusko, Novi sophomore, said that she prefers to study indoors, she thinks that the change in weather is for the positive.

     “I think that the campus is more alive,” Yusko said. “It’s nice to see people sitting out on the Quad and hanging out in front of the dorms. Although the weather may hinder students’ academics, it certainly promotes a healthy and happy social environment.”

     In addition to increased classes outside, there are many other activities that take place on the Quad, like croquet, bocce ball and Ultimate Frisbee.

     Because of all these distractions, other students find these events to be to tempting. According to Rob Bodary, Sterling Heights sophomore, the warm weather has been interfering with his final projects and papers.

     “Instead of choosing to study, I’ve been going outside to play games like bocce ball and Frisbee with my friends,” Bodary said.

     With May 1^st acting as the last official day of classes, students have four days left to be productive before finals.

     “After four years, I’ve learned that there’s no easy solution to fending off the uncontrollable urge to do nothing, which comes with nice weather,” said Scotty Bruce, Charlevoix senior.

    According to Pamela Schwartz, director of the learning support center, the trick it to do both—enjoy the weather and study.

     “Use time outside as a reward for working,” Schwartz said. “Arrange to study or do an assignment and then go enjoy the sun for a while. Work in the evenings so you can play on the quad during the day.”

     Schwartz recommends finding a day calendar that lists by the hour, such as the one at www.albion.edu/asc/weekly%20Planner.xls. Divide each assignment into separate tasks that might take an hour or two. Depending on when assignments are due, schedule all of the tasks that are needed to complete each assignment.

     “As you fill in the hours, try to keep free times when you can be outside enjoying yourself,” Schwartz said. “You might also want to set aside time for watching your favorite show, talking to friends or working out at the Dow. Planning beat out anxiety and worry any day.”