By now for your student, coursework is accumulating, midterms are on the horizon, and if they sound a little more tired or stressed than usual when you check in, that’s typical for this stretch of the semester.
One of the most effective things they can do right now costs nothing and requires no appointment. They can spend time outside.
Nature and the Midterm Stretch
Spending time outdoors has documented benefits — reduced stress and anxiety, better mood and cognitive function, a stronger immune system, and improved sleep quality. For students pushing through a demanding academic stretch, time outside is genuinely restorative. Encouraging your student to step away from their desk and get some fresh air, even briefly, is one of the more useful things you can do from a distance right now.
If You’re Planning a Visit
Late September is a beautiful time to visit Chapel Hill. If you’re thinking about making the trip, the area around campus has some wonderful spots worth exploring together — a natural way to spend time with your student outside of a dining hall or dorm room.
On and Near Campus
- Coker Arboretum — Right in the heart of campus. A peaceful spot for a walk and a good first stop if you’re visiting
- Battle Park — Just downhill from Coker Arboretum on the east side of campus, with hiking and trail running options. Download a trail map before you go
A Little Further Out
- Mason Farm Biological Reserve — Hiking, trail running, and bird watching just 2 miles from campus, southeast of the Botanical Gardens
- Bolin Creek, Sewell School, and Carolina North — Mountain biking, hiking, and trail running about 15 minutes away from campus but still in Carrboro and Chapel Hill
Worth a Day Trip
Duke Forest
Hiking, trail running, fishing, horseback riding, and mountain biking, about 20 minutes away. The sky here is still Carolina blue!
Occoneechee Mountain State Natural Area
The highest point in Orange County, with 190 acres and nearly 3 miles of trails. Hiking, trail running, fishing, camping, and picnicking available, about 25 minutes away. Free to visit
William B. Umstead State Park
Boating, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, trail running, camping, cycling, and picnicking, about 25 minutes away. Shelters, campsites, canoes, and kayaks available to reserve for a reasonable fee
Eno River State Park
Hiking, trail running, camping, fishing, and canoeing, about 30 minutes away
Haw River
Fishing, canoeing, swimming, horseback riding, and paddling, about 30 minutes away. The Haw River Ballroom nearby is worth a stop for live music after a day outside
Conversation Starters
These questions can open up a conversation about how your student is managing as the semester gets busier:
- “Have you had any time to get outside lately?”
- “Is there anywhere around campus you’ve wanted to explore?”
- “What have you been doing to take breaks when things get demanding?”
- “How are you feeling heading into midterms?”
Campus Resources
Encourage your student to explore what’s available to them:
- Carolina Adventures Expeditions through Campus Recreation provides gear, guides, and routes for outdoor adventures — a good option for students who want to get outside but aren’t sure where to start or prefer not to go alone
- Campus Recreation also offers outdoor yoga, nature walks, kayaking, rock climbing, and more throughout the semester — the events calendar is worth checking
A walk in the arboretum won’t make midterms disappear. But it helps.