Okay, take a couple seconds to remember back to when you were a college student. Now recall that first day during the second semester where the temperature finally hit a respectable mark and the sun peeked out for the first time in ages. What happened?

Come on, that is an easy question! We all put on shorts, hit the gathering spot on campus, and soaked up the golden rays. After months of nasty weather and dreaded walks across campus, the arrival of Spring rejuvenated us all. For most of us, this glorious day would hopefully come by May.

Well, when you go to college in the Myrtle Beach area things are a little different. When the groundhog couldn’t see his shadow today it meant to most people that Spring is near; what it meant in this area is that Spring is HERE.

It was definitely Spring on the Coastal Carolina University campus today!

The beautiful and sunny 70 degree day brought out sights on the campus of Coastal Carolina University that you usually don’t see on other college campuses until May 2…not February 2. Let me just give you a few examples from today…

Students study/visit outside on our picnic tables…

These tables by the pond are prime real estate at Coastal (Jada Bynum took the photo on the right).

The hammocks come out…

This student set up her hammock in the shade. Yes, there is a hammock club at Coastal.

Class is held in our famous courtyard area…

Edwards Courtyard is a popular place to hold an occasional class outdoors and that is what happened today (Photo by Jada Bynum).

Bridge traffic gets heavy…

Walking across the Wall Bridge is always fun. However, the beautiful weather makes it that much more enjoyable.

Students lay out on Prince Lawn…

Nothing beats spending class breaks on Prince Lawn underneath the refreshing sun.

YOGA SESSIONS are held outdoors during the lunch hour…

Who has ever heard of outdoor yoga in FEBRUARY?

And do you wonder why our enrollment keeps growing?* As I mentioned in my Sunday blog post, living in an area like this makes the month of February so much more of a joy. We have another 70 degree day coming up tomorrow and I can guarrantee you the students (and staff) will once again be living it up. Don’t Blink.

* – Of course the climate is just a small reason for why our university continues to grow. Increasing academic options, brand new facilities, an athletic program that is transitioning to FBS, strong leadership, and other factors more accurately describe why enrollment keeps going up.