How Does Biola Feel?

There is an unusual stillness on campus for a Tuesday afternoon. Students are quietly studying around the cool fountain trying to stay focused. Most students look weary and as they walk by, little conversation is passed between friends. There has to be a lot of students still sleeping and resting in their dorm rooms or diligently studying for the last bit of classes today. The tiredness of the students is obvious as they stare at the fountain's water instead of their book in their hand. Endurance is felt by the students studying around me. Although there are a lot of students weary, I can hear laughter near by and recognize the sense of community around. The fountain gathers students and the misty water makes everyone feel peaceful.

The cement pathways swerving around campus connects the school and makes everyone feel welcome. The cafeteria's outdoor gate's buzzer went off because of an act of  rebellion from a student. More loud beeping sounds were overpowering the birds singing from a large crane driving through campus. Next to the crane, a small building's walls are covered with metal and ridged spin dials that students turn in hopes to find a letter sitting in the smooth metal box. If a letter is discovered in the mailbox, students drift over to the forest green, plastic chairs and place their arms holding the letter on the cold, outdoor patio. The school is filled with rough, brick buildings, and tables to encourage people to be outside and share conversation with one another, but it is the nature that pulls everything together to feel serene.

Tim, a resident of Hart, said that every morning he wakes up to the sound of ducks squawking. He quickly gets annoyed because of the early wake up call, but is soon relaxed by the nature that the ducks bring to the campus. As he walks around the school, he feels mellow and loves that Biola's campus makes him feel relaxed outside of the classroom.