Colby College is one of the most remote campuses in the United States. In Waterville, Maine, the College gets more than six feet of snow every year, with temperatures plummeting as low as negative 9 degrees Fahrenheit this winter. Oftentimes, the campus feels a bit isolated. Waterville, with a population of just over 16,000 people, has little public transportation aside from the campus shuttle, which has only two stops. Many students don’t have a car, don’t have unlimited money to spend, and some can’t leave the country as a result of the Trump administration’s recent targeting of those on visas. Many community members are left with the inevitable question: “How the hell am I supposed to fill my time?” While Colby isn’t in a cosmopolitan metropolis or in a lively town, it is not a dull place to be either. With a bit of imagination and a go-getter attitude, one will find that there is more to Waterville and the surrounding area than meets the eye.
A student with a car has many opportunities that a student without a car does not. This includes popular trips to Sugarloaf Mountain for skiing and snowboarding, drives into Portland for Trader Joe’s runs and Chipotle, or hikes in Acadia. By taking note of the following activities indulged in by some of the campus’s most creative students, no one could fall victim to Colby’s College’s notorious cabin fever.
- Homework in the Art Museum
“I feel like people don’t really utilize the art museum here,” Yasmina Levitsky Karimova `28, says. The Colby College Museum of Art is open year round, and has an extensive collection of paintings by a wide array of artists, including Georgia O’Keeffe, Henry Taylor, and even Jackson Pollack. Karimova will often spend time in the museum doing her homework, sketching, or reading a book. “It’s super peaceful there, and I like being surrounded by all the art. The museum is so much different than the rest of campus, so it definitely helps with the cabin fever,” she says.
- Slipping and sliding down Chapel Hill
Many blame feelings of isolation and seclusion on the weather—luckily, many students have thought up creative ways to make the most of it, rain or snow. This winter, students were seen throwing themselves down Chapel Hill draped in garbage bags. Referred to as “trash bagging,” students curl up into little balls and slide down the hill on their backs and stomachs, the trash bag minimizing the friction between them and the snow. In the rain, students cover their trash bags in dish soap to account for the slipperiness.
- “Beer-io Kart” (Beer optional)
A popular game among students is the game known as “Beer-io Kart.” “The rules of Beer-io Kart are quite simple, but also very malleable,” explains Will Schell `28, who can often be found playing the game in the Hillside dorms. “We don’t play with beers since we are underage and usually play during the week,” Schell clarifies. “Standard rules are that every two Mario Kart races everyone racing must finish their drink. The catch is that you can only drink while the race is actively happening, and you cannot drink while your cart is moving,” he says. The game is typically played with carbonated beverages that are hard to chug. Schell’s good friend, Colin Kane `28 explains that the game “is a game of wits. Keeping watch on all of your opponents, chugging at the most opportune times- it gets intense. What I tend to do is drink immediately as the race begins so I can kill the rest of the race. Some will park at the finish line and drink more if they have a comfortable enough lead.” This serves as a great pastime and way to socialize; “we can play for hours without getting bored”, Kane explains. While many use video games as a way of escaping reality, Beer-io Kart also functions as an interactive, community-wide tradition.
- Cooking & Crafts in Big Groups
Shalia Ishwar `26 is currently acting as Leonard’s Community Advisor. While she claims she is “always a victim to cabin fever” she has various techniques to avoid it. She mentions that she typically leans toward “finding indoor activities to do with big groups.” Ishwar has been known to provide her residents with ample arts and crafts materials, inspiring many students to spend their time painting or drawing outside their dorm rooms. Her endeavors, however, go beyond crafts. “Cooking in groups is my number one activity,” Ishwar says. Many students in the Hillside dorms can often be found utilizing the singular stoves and ovens placed in many of their lobbies. Students have prepared cookies, steak, and even turkey with the limited equipment.
- Alfond Olympics
The College is also home to the Harold Alfond Athletics and Recreation Center, a $200 million facility with a standard sized indoor track, hockey arena, rock climbing wall, Olympic-sized swimming pool, and, of course, ping pong tables. Throughout the winter, students were given access to free ice skating in the hockey rink, as well as on Johnson Pond when it was frozen. Usage of the swimming pool, diving boards, and rock wall were also permitted at certain times. The ping pong tables in the Athletic Center are also available for usage anytime during the day. Some students, including Ruby Dwyer `28, participate in the “Alfond Olympics,” with their friends. It consists of a series of random competitions in the athletic center, including rock climbing, swimming, and ping pong. “Hanging out in the athletic center is always a great way to avoid going crazy in your dorm room,” she justifies.
There are many things that students can do to keep themselves busy during Colby’s frigid, dark days. From unserious activities with your friends, to mindful time on your own on campus, small breaks and activities can make Colby feel a lot less suffocating, and a lot more cozy. The weather, and your routine is temporary, and it’s worthwhile to make the most of it while you can.
~ Molly Garvey `28
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