Part Two : Student + Nature = The Biophilic Campus

In part two of this two-part series, Tricia Roy breaks down the importance of incorporating biophilia into your campus lifestyle. If you’ve ever enjoyed a scenic mountain view or a swim at the beach, you have probably experienced the phenomenon known as biophilia. Not only is biophilia a fascinating subject for interdisciplinary study, it just might help you do better in school. To read the part one of this series, click here

By Patricia Roy — August 10, 2022

Tags: biophilic, campus, college life, nature, student

Part Two : Student + Nature = The Biophilic Campus

Reciprocity and Responsibility

Biophilia is not a one-way relationship. People who engage with their environment often grow to love it. And with love comes responsibility. Just as neuroscientists and designers try to improve our built environments with aesthetics inspired by nature, those same researchers and engineers are exploring sustainability practices and responsible sources for their building materials. The next phase of biophilia research might ask: how can we engineer our built environments not only to lessen harmful impacts but also to restore and sustain the nonhuman features of our world?

You might be asking: why should I seek out biophilic places in college? You may regard your college campus as just a temporary environment that needs only be functional. The distinction between functional and dysfunctional is a spectrum, not a clear line. We all know that a positive and supportive environment makes adjusting to major life changes easier. While your campus need not be as beautiful as a mountaintop spa, appreciating the presence of nature around you is a reward.

Sometimes, students looking to save money or keen to excel may neglect emotional and self-care needs — to their detriment. Access to nature is an easy and often free way to avoid burnout.

Additionally, the multidisciplinary of the study of biophilia itself is a clue to the pervasiveness of the hypothesis. No matter what field you decide to enter as a career, it is likely that someone in that field will be involved in environmental concerns. Furthermore, understanding biophilia prepares you for systems thinking, a foundational concept to ecology now used throughout the business world.

Nature on Campus

Here are some suggestions for connecting with your campus, big or small:

Be observant. Pay attention to where things are. Developing awareness and empathy for place means noticing the presence of everything, including trees, paths, ponds, and animal nests. Even in a city environment, these things are all present —sometimes in the most surprising places!
Slow down. Most of us live busy lives, running from one task to the next, with our minds racing through all the things we need to do in a day. Sometimes we distract ourselves with music on our devices as we go to class, or we use Netflix to fall asleep. Music and entertainment are fine past-times, but when was the last time you listened to birds singing? The next time you walk or ride to class, let yourself take it all in. What color is the sky? How does the air smell? How does it make you feel? Paying attention to the weather, the clouds in the sky, and the critters in the grass gives your mind a break, improving cognition. It's like a mini meditation or mindfulness technique.
Learn about your surroundings. Can you distinguish the calls of different birds on campus? What about the trees? Who are the indigenous people to the area, and do they still live there? All of this information is readily available on the internet; all that awaits is your curiosity. You might find that your school offers walking tours or credited courses in local environmental history. People who know about and feel connected to a place are likelier to report life satisfaction.
Get involved in or start a club focused on the environment, locally or globally. You don't have to be an activist. If you enjoy sports, you could join intramural crew or cross-country skiing. Some campuses host community gardens for students and staff to plant vegetable or flower gardens; others sponsor beach clean-up events or hunger banquets. On my campus, students walk their neighbors' dogs on campus, which benefits the dogs, the neighbors, the walkers, and everyone who stops to greet the cute doggos! All of these activities potentially encourage responsible habits and meaningful conversations about the role we each play.

Bringing the Outside In: A Biophilic Dorm Room

Here are some suggestions for employing biophilic design in your own living space.

Houseplants: One of the hottest trends among Millennials and GenZs is houseplant parenting. Unlike pets, most schools allow you to have plants in your dorm. In my next article, I'll share my advice for selecting and caring for your green children!
A water feature: Water is one of the most soothing design elements — think about how many works of art feature it. Consider adding a fountain or aquarium to give your room some spa vibes (check with your school to be sure they allow these, especially if bringing in live animals). If your dorm tends to be dry, use a humidifier or essential oil diffuser. The essential oils can also help freshen stale air.
Natural objects: Items such as seashells, pinecones, crystals, or interesting stones, either purchased or found, remind you of the natural environment. Even better if they remind you of a special vacation or experience.
Pictures: Pictures of nature, especially of water, can have a calming effect.
Natural patterns and colors: When choosing sheets, curtains, rugs, or housewares, consider the way nature is both organized and a little random. Even when patterns exist in nature, aberrations occur to break up the monotony. Research and anecdotal advice suggest that humans find the patterns and colors in nature pleasing to the senses. Designers use these in their prints to prevent boredom and inspire creativity.
Natural fabrics and materials: Likewise, natural fabrics are often more comfortable than synthetics and do not off-gas VOCs or other noxious chemicals. Yeah, these can be more expensive, but some tried-and-true products, like mason jars, are afford able and have many uses.

To Learn More . . .

Check out some of these resources to learn more about research and trends pertaining to humanity's connection to the environment:

"Biophilia" from Psychology Today
Marc G. Berman et al. "The Cognitive Benefits to Interacting with Nature" PubMed
Giuseppe Barbiero and Rita Berto. "Biophilia as Evolutionary Adaptation: Onto -Phylogenetic Framework for Biophilic Design" Frontiers in Psychology
Bjorne Grinde and Grete Grindal Patil "Biophilia: Does Visual Contact with Nature Impact on Health and Well-being?" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Biophillic Solutions: Nature Has the Answers: a podcast
Donna Haraway. Staying with the Trouble: Making Kin in the Chthulucene
"The Benefits of Sustainable Engineering" Norwich University
Eric Niller. "Blue Mind Explores the Calming Effect Water Has on People" Washington Post Book Review of Wallace J. Nichols' Blue Mind

Patricia Roy

Patricia Roy is a writer and professor who has helped students succeed for over 25 years. She started her career as a high school English teacher and then moved into higher education at Tuition Rewards member school, Lasell University in Newton, Massachusetts. Her practical guidance and enthusiasm motivate and inspire students to fearlessly explore their own passions. Professor Roy is also a freelance writer and published poet.

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