Come January, I will have attended App State for a full year. Winter in Boone is something altogether different from winter in the middle of the state, and even though last winter was relatively mild, I still saw snow, and still felt the cold. As a resident Hot House Flower, winter is not my fave time of year, but allow me to share with you the thoughts we have through this time and best ways to deal with the Appalachian Winter.

1. When you wake up and see a high of 60 and a low of 24 F:

Like what am I supposed to wear when I'm freezing at 9 am and then sweating at noon and then freezing again by 4??? Pro tip: layers!!! I know, I know, I sound like your mom when you were in elementary school. But seriously, sometimes all you need to deal with The Appalachian Weather is a t-shirt, a sweater, a sweatshirt, a big jacket, a blanket scarf, a hat, fuzzy socks, and duck boots. Also, I've learned to understand that a "high" of 60 means that it will be around 55 for 2 hours near noon and then the temp will start going down again.

2. SNOW!!!

You either love it, or you hate it. Nevertheless, snow is a common thing in during The Appalachian Winter (except for last year, it snowed like twice... I see you, global warming). Snow is cold, snow is wet, ice is slippery. My advice to you: get some throw blankets and understand the importance of GOOD winter boots and a GOOD winter jacket. If your feet are warm and dry, you're warm and dry! I'd also recommend gloves and a hat. This is where all your body heat escapes from. You'll thank me the next time you're waiting for the AppalCart.

3. The "Han Solo" Outfit:

You know exactly what I'm talking about. The black leggings/ white shirt/ vest look....

Insert: The Han Solo Outfit

See. The resemblance is uncanny. Like I KNOW YOU'RE COLD. Like goddamn. I KNOW YOU ARE because you complain about how cold you are. PUT ON A JACKET AND STOP COMPLAINING.

4. The Winding.

Yes, it's a word. A word I just made up. Like "It's winding outside".

This is an actual image of me walking up Locust St. trying to get to the union (or walking next to the union to get behind the union, which by the way, WHY?!?! Like just walk inside). Well. My advice for all of you dying while walking through The Wind Tunnel is... I'm sorry I have none, if you know how to Not Die while walking please let me know. Just know this is why you don't use umbrellas at App.

5. When it DOESNT snow.

Okay, yall. Hear me out. Boone is like 20 degrees. If it's going to be this fucking cold, it needs to just snow. Like COME ON. IF I HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE COLD, IT MIGHT AS WELL SNOW.

Like... COME ONNNNN. Remember: layers, hats.

6. The dry air

I have curly hair, I have oily skin. Both my skin and my hair are so dried out at this point that I have like a slight wave pattern with 80 layers of frizz and my skin is flaking off. I used body lotion for the pure purpose of not feeling like a snake the other day. What is this?!?!?!?!?

An actual picture of me when I wake up in the morning. Like how dare you, I grew you myself. Pro tip: buy a goddamned humidifier. They're like $10 at goodwill and like $20 everywhere else. Give yourself the much needed moisture you deserve.