The campus still stands after Snowmageddon 2020. For the readers who have not heard about this epic snowstorm, follow this link: (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/19/snowmageddon-cleanup-begins-after-record-newfoundland-storm).
Fear not, prospective students, the weather isn’t all that bad in Newfoundland. Coming from a warm country to Newfoundland was a big transition for me. However, I remind myself of the Swedish proverb “det finns inget dåligt väder, bara dåliga kläder,” which means that there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing. In winter, one tends to opt for a sedentary lifestyle to avoid the ‘bad’ weather. However, it is important to stay active throughout these challenging conditions to maintain one’s mental and physical wellbeing. Having the proper attire allows one to engage in winter outdoor activities available in St. John’s. For example, Pippy Park, which is very close to campus, maintains cross-country ski trails. Bannerman Park maintains an ice-skating loop.
For those still inclined to remain indoors, MUN’s gym (i.e. The Works) is well equipped with advanced exercise machines to boost your cardiovascular system, free weights, an indoor track, an indoor swimming pool, basketball courts, and badminton courts.
A common misconception I’ve observed throughout my studies is that ‘there is no time for exercising when in university.’ I would argue that exercising the body is just as important as exercising the mind. There is indeed truth in Thales notion of “mens sana in corpore sano,” which has been ingrained in my psyche from an early age with the Arabic version of Thales’ phrase: العقل السليم في الجسم السليم. Both phrases translate to “A sound mind is in a sound body.”
I write this to remind myself and others the benefits of exercising during one’s studies. Being athletic is achievable in university. Until next time.
~ Mohammad