Fountain Day to the Rescue

Hello, Missouri State! Spring is quickly approaching and Fountain Day is in our future. Coming into Missouri State I had heard upperclassmen talk about their favorite day as the day the fountain was turned back on in the spring. At the time I didn’t understand the significance of it and thought it was silly to look forward to. Having participated in one myself, I can say it is the best day on campus and as soon as I have the date, I will create a countdown.

What is Fountain Day?

Fountain Day takes place in the spring and it’s a place for all students, staff, faculty, and community to gather in celebration of the fountain turning back on. The Traditions Council hosts the event and ensures that there are plenty of activities to partake in. Last year free t-shirts, free food, vials of fountain water, and buttons were given out. The day is easiest to celebrate when you bring your friends, take photos, and countdown with everyone for the fountain to spring back to life!

What is the big deal?

Even after an explanation you still might be questioning why everyone saves the date on the calendar or comes back to MSU as an alum for the event. After conversations with a wide variety of people on why they love the day I observed a consistent response. Responses included: “it cured my seasonal depression,” “it put a smile on my face,” “it gave me something to look forward to,” or “it symbolizes hope.” The fountain truly does have a touch of magic because I can agree with each one of these claims. Winter can be a hard season for anyone but especially college students who are homesick, have a heavy workload, operate better with sunlight, or who just miss the simplicity of summer. The fountain is turned on after the last frost date so it is pretty set that there will be no more cold days in the near future which always brings hope. 

How do I handle seasonal depression at school?

Seasonal depression is something I didn’t struggle with until coming to college. It wasn’t until the first day I could wear shorts that I noticed that I may need to be diagnosed. The weather made a whole difference in my day; I was smiling all day long and my problems the day before no longer seemed to have a weight on my shoulders. A few days later it was back to bitter cold and coat weather and my mood plummeted. The weather continued to fluctuate and I noticed this pattern until Fountain Day came and I was the happiest I had been. If you also find yourself affected by the winter weather, I recommend putting Fountain Day on your list of must-attend campus events. I’m thankful for Fountain Day and all it has provided to the body of Missouri State.

Here are some other tips for any students who might, like me, be anxiously waiting for the cold, gray days of winter to pass.:

• My first tip is to go to a professional, especially if you’re feeling depressed or anxious. Utilizing Magers Health and Wellness and making an appointment in the Counseling Center to talk about your concerns can get you the personalized help you need.
• Something I purchased that has helped me was a sunset lamp. The lamp is said to have a positive impact on serotonin and melatonin. Low levels of serotonin have been linked to depression.
• Socializing is one of the biggest tools I used to get myself out of the “funks” I was in. As I had mentioned earlier, the best way to do fountain day is with friends but so is everything else. Finding something fun to do on campus with a friend is always an added bonus.
• Planning time to go on a walk or visiting the Foster Rec Center to get your body moving is also a method worth trying.
• Meet with a Success Coach or a Peer Mentor in the Center for Academic Success and Transitions office.

Being affected by the season or the weather is real and can take a toll on someone especially those in college who may be already struggling. I suggest finding what works best for you and your needs according to the ideas I listed or discover your own solutions. However, be sure to save the date for the 2023 Missouri State Fountain Day because it’s going to be something you won’t want to miss. 

 “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light” – Aristotle

~Aubrey

(Bio: My name is Aubrey Hardy, a sophomore studying special needs education. Fun fact: I grew up on a farm.)