By Annabelle McIntosh – Opinions Editor 

It is no secret that Bishop’s is jam-packed with renowned events for all of the Gaiters to enjoy. No matter the time of year, there is always something exciting to look forward to. While discussing the highly anticipated Winterfest and reminiscing on past events, I began to ask myself which semester has the best festivities –  fall or winter? 

With the beginning of every fall semester comes O-Week – a unique experience that Bishop’s students hold close to their hearts after being initiated into the Bishop’s community.

Other highlights to kick off the year include major weekends such as (my personal favourite) homecoming – a purple extravaganza that attracts alumni and friends from all over. After this comes Halloweekend, a fun-filled time where we take a break from the stress of midterms to fill the streets with creative costumes. Both of these weekends are staples at the university and have been significant sources of memories and entertainment throughout my time here. One final event you can’t miss out on in the fall semester is Gait Gatsby, a time to dress like it’s the 1920s and attend what many believe to be the best night of the year at the Gait. 

Winter semester brings many fun activities and events to battle the winter blues. Gaiters return from holiday break and set the tone for the new semester with Two Years Eve. Then, despite the gray skies and short daylight hours, Winterfest brings the campus alive with retro snowsuits all around, a rail jam and a concert venue in the Quad. In March, there’s St. Patrick’s weekend on Reed Street, reminiscent of homecoming as the weather becomes warmer. This time, there is a sea of green instead of purple. Finally, students pull up at the Bishop’s University Charity Fashion Show – the largest student fundraiser on campus that is always an exciting production to watch. 

So, with all this being said, which semester is better? Overall, while both semesters bring great social events and excitement around every corner, the fall semester has always stood out to me just slightly more than the winter. Maybe it’s the warm days and the initial excitement of being back in Lennoxville, but the fall events have just always caught my eye a tad bit more. However, to get the most out of your Bishop’s experience, I recommend everyone to check out all of these events at least once – there are plenty of opportunities to make lasting memories all year long!