As we enter mid-April, students are rejoicing leaving the dreary winter months behind. In a state like Maine, however, the signs of spring are not always apparent in budding leaves and a muddy quad. To save yourself from the confusion, here are 15 sure fire ways to know it’s springtime at Bowdoin.

1. BOC members begin to feel it is appropriate to walk through the dining halls barefoot
2. You’ll find yourself constantly dodging a rogue frisbee on your way to class
3. The most unathletic individuals will play spikeball on the quad for hours on end
4. There is an indescribable feeling of joy throughout campus; despite the horrors of winter, everything seems like it’s gonna be ok
5. The most beautiful day of the semester followed by 5 days of rain
6. Tour groups watch you and your diverse friend group lay on the quad between classes, akin to how one would watch animals at the zoo
7. Suddenly, every motherfucker knows how to slackline
8. The squirrels have lost their seasonal plumpness, mainly due to the intense evasive maneuvers they are pulling to avoid the talons of local hawks
9. Your parents call everyday to ask if you’ve secured that summer internship yet
10. Couples going abroad in separate semesters are ensuring each other long distance is gonna work out (it won’t)
11. You’ll see about 50 YikYak posts about how Ivies should be how every weekend is, and how much potential the Bowdoin party scene has. This is followed by dismal party attendance in the fall semester. 
12. No more “2 shoe policy” at the gym!
13. A random first year will lay in the hammock you set up on the quad when you leave to get lunch
14. You will question if your roommate is simply engaging in harmless darty culture or developing an acute drinking problem
15. That impending sense of doom you felt all of March will melt away as soon as the sun hits your face on your way out of class