While the winter months may be the height of fl u season, another disease has been known to run rampant at the same time: cabin fever.

After the excitement of the holidays and the fi rst snowfall, it can seem as if the winter just drags on, especially with multiple snow days. The constant cold, dreary weather can cause an overload of boredom. Freshman Sloane Lewis said the winter is more diffi cult due to

dangerous conditions. “It is easier to get bored in the

winter because the weather can get pretty bad and transportation may be limited so it would be hard to hang out with friends,” said Lewis.

Freshman Austin Wooten also pinpoints the cold weather as the cause for increased boredom; snow can take away travel opportunities, and eliminates the usual outdoor activities.

“I would say it is easier to get bored during the winter because your options are limited. If it is cold outside you can’t hang out with friends and do what you would normally do in the summer with your friends outside,” said Wooten.

Many students avoid the freezing temperatures outdoors and preoccupy themselves with inside activities.

“During the winter I usually stay around my house and go sledding or stay inside by the fi re and watch a movie,” said Lewis. “I don’t like the cold; I prefer warm weather, so I like to stay inside most of the time.”

Sophomore Lauren DeLuca agreed with Lewis. She said she likes to stay in warm houses. Her favorite method to fi ght boredom is to get lost in a book.

“Since I love to read, reading a book is a good way to at least forget cabin fever. My favorites are mysteries. Trying to fi gure out who did it really takes your mind off being stuck in a house,” said DeLuca.

Other students embrace the snow and cold weather by taking up sports that can only be utilized in the winter. Sophomore Tyler Blakeman takes advantage of the snow by heading to Paoli Peaks to go snowboarding.

“I enjoy snowboarding because you don’t have to be good to do it,” said Blakeman. “I like hitting the rail and jumps, but I also enjoy leisurely riding down the slope.”

No matter where students prefer to spend their time during the winter, all agree having friends with them makes anything more bearable.

“Get up and go hang out with your friends at their house, if you don’t want to be outside, or invite them over and watch a movie and drink hot chocolate,” said Wooten.

FEATURESFRIDAY, February 4, 2011 www.fchsbagpiper.wordpress.com 11

Staying in or going out, teens relentlessly remedy winter bluesBY ANNA BOONEStaff Reporter

GRACE RUNKEL Features Co-editor

GRACE RUNKEL/ THE BAGPIPER

SOPHOMORES MARY CLAY AND ABBY DILK spend Sunday, Jan. 16 shopping at Charlotte Russe in the Mall of St. Matthews. “I like to go shopping with friends because it’s fun and I like having a second opinion,” said Clay.

NATHAN GREENWOOD / THE BARTIZAN

SENIOR NICK GRANTZ AND SOPHOMORE KYLE PINNICK dressed to support the girls’ swim team at the girls’ confer-ence swim meet on Saturday, Jan. 15.

ANNA BOONE/ THE BAGPIPER

SOPHOMORE ERIN BAUGHMAN walks her dog Brutus on Wednesday, Dec. 29. “It is really nice to just get out of the house, and the exercise is good for both of us,” she said.

CHELSEY CARR/ THE BAGPIPER

SENIOR CHRIS PEPIN AND JUNIOR ZACH WRIGHT listen to clues while playing Dirty Minds at Hobknobb Roasting Company on Wednesday, Jan. 19.

MULTIMEDIAGo online to fchsbagpiper.wordpress.com to view student and teachers opinions about the snow days.

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cabin cabin feverfever

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LAURA HUBRICH/ THE BARTIZAN

SENIORS NATHAN GREENWOOD AND KAT BREWER play Skeeball at Louisville’s Lazer Blaze before a game of lazer tag.

Art a LaMainQuality handmade gifts

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