The Benefits of Nature: A Student Perspective
By Madelyn Cook
As a student, life often feels like a whirlwind of deadlines, exams and screens. Between lectures, assignments and the constant pressure to perform, it’s easy to become disconnected, from ourselves, from others and from the world beyond our academics. For me, the tool of nature has been a quiet but powerful remedy to this disconnection. Time outdoors has become more than just a break, it’s become a source of focus, creativity and well-being that continues to shape how I learn and live.
One of the most immediate benefits I’ve noticed from spending time in nature is stress relief. University can be overwhelming, and I used to believe staying indoors glued to my laptop would fix it, but I soon realized that no amount of caffeine or scrolling could settle my thoughts. A simple walk along the canal however could. The sound of rustling leaves, the rushing water, my footsteps and the open sky helps to slow me down. There’s something grounding about. It reminds me that my problems are temporary and manageable. Even a 15 minute break outside before studying makes a tangible difference in my mood and concentration.
Beyond helping with stress, nature has also enhanced my focus and creativity. When I hit a mental block, stepping outside often sparks new ideas. There is science behind it; exposure to natural environments has been shown to restore attention and boost creative thinking, and I’ve experienced it personally! Some of my best essay outlines were mentally drafted while walking along the river or sitting under a tree on campus. It’s as if nature resets my brain, allowing fresh thoughts to flow.
Another lesson I’ve learned from nature is patience. Plants don’t grow overnight, seasons change slowly but steadily. As a student, I often want instant results, grades, feedback, success, but nature reminds me that growth takes time. Watching my turtle plant in the window of my dorm room lengthen week by week provides me the quiet lesson of consistency and care. It made me realize that learning, too, is a process that can’t be rushed.
Finally, Nature has strengthened my sense of connection, to others and to the world itself. Outdoor study sessions with friends or just long walks have helped me bond in ways that the classroom never could. There’s something genuine about the conversations held in the quad or on a walk rather than under the fluorescent library lights. It is as if nature encourages honesty and openness.
Looking back, I realized that nature became one of my greatest teachers. In a world that often celebrates productivity over presence, nature offers balance. It reminds me to breathe, slow down and to appreciate life beyond screens and schedules. As a student, I’ve come to see that success isn’t only about working hard but it’s also about finding spaces, and enjoying the little things that help me think, heal and grow.