Being active as a college student is no easy feat.
Between coordinating class times, work schedules and extracurricular activities, it oftentimes feels impossible even to find time to get a full eight hours of gentle slumber.
Fitting in time to stay active is a necessity for both your mental and physical well-being.
With this predicament in mind, I would like to introduce you to my pride and joy of pastimes: the night walk.
At first mention, this may sound like a rather risky activity. Let me expand on the endless opportunities to render your night walk experience.
The saga of the night walk began very early in my first year at UW-Eau Claire. As the seasons began to change, daylight hours free of commitment seemed to dwindle.
While my academically dedicated collection of friends spent our days eating in Davies together and expanding our knowledge in McIntyre Library, I found myself longing to stay active and explore.
By the time we finished our day, many of us felt stuck on campus. With no vehicle in the ‘R’ lot, we essentially were stuck to the confinement of the dorms once the final bus 19 route departed from Towers.
Even when the Eau Claire Transit is in full swing, navigating a route to the mall is no small feat.
So, the only option at hand was to adapt and overcome. We started out small, taking tours of the upper campus.
Our small crew of four girls spent their stress-free evenings exploring everything on campus from the treasures in and around Simpson Field to the paths and picnic tables behind Oak Ridge Hall.
Eventually, the upper campus felt limited. We decided that rewarding daily exercise with Kwik Trip treats was a fitting upgrade.
By my second year at UW-Eau Claire, a night walk no longer seemed like a far-fetched dream.
My roommates and I use the concept of free will to explore nightlife across the Eau Claire High Bridge.
More often than not, we are known for opting to walk to our Friday night destinations, rather than driving.
One of my most cherished campus discoveries includes the Putnam Trail.
In all its glory, the Putnam Trail snakes through campus. Heading west from campus, the Putnam Trail unveils wonders along the Chippewa River beyond Putnam Rock.
At the base of UW-Eau Claire’s glorious wooden steps, the Putnam trail heads eastward. The trail even undermines State Street, running all the way to Putnam Park.
No matter your location or destination, the sense of serenity in nighttime activity is unique to the experience.
I will say, taking on the adventure of a night walk is a daunting task. Safety should always be a top priority.
For me, I have always found safety in numbers. Going on a nighttime adventure is a great outlet to enjoy quality time with friends in an active, responsible manner.
If you are exclusively looking for the serenity of a nighttime adventure on your own, there are lots of ways to stay safe and alert.
Regardless of the route and company you decide, the joyous night walk is a stress-free activity to help your studious-filled days transform you into an athlete-student.
Schoenemann can be reached at [email protected].