The Harvard campus came alive yesterday as students emerged from their rooms for an afternoon of relaxing, sunbathing and even studying outdoors as temperatures soared into the 80s.

"It's the kind of day when you wake up and everything is just electric," said Caty E. James '99 who spent the day relaxing with friends in the Yard.

With students clad in shorts, T-shirts, and sun dresses, the only visible sign of fall was the autumn-colored leaves.

"I think [the weather] is great. I never get outside," said Susan R. Correa, a first-year at the Graduate School of Design, who was enjoying her lunch outside Widener Library. "[Thursday] we had a drawing class outdoors and got to take advantage of the good lighting and the weather."

Several students said the warm weather has been hampering their attempts to study.

"I was supposed to do homework today," said Dan M. Ring '99. "Instead I'm playing tennis."

And Emily A. Stone '99, who was doing her homework in the Yard, said, "I have been hanging out outside and trying to study."

"It is just not working," she added.

Others were taking advantage of the weather to exercise.

Julie C. Lantrip, a second-year student at Harvard Law School and William H. Johnson, a first-year at the Law School were tossing a frisbee in the Yard.

Lanthrop, who is from Dallas, Texas said the warm weather "feels like home."

Lawson K. Allen '98, a member of the Radcliffe Crew, said the pleasant weather makes practice more enjoyable.

"It is beautiful to row along the river in the fall, especially in the warm weather," she said.

On the other hand, Jeff M. Marks '96, a member of the swim team, lamented that Blodgett Pool is indoors.

With high temperatures about 19 degrees above normal, many students said that they knew the warm weather would not last.

"This is the kind of day for exercising," said Janet L. Goldberg, a first-year law student walking along the river. "I know that in another two weeks I won't be able to get out."