First weeks back of the semester and it doesn't feel like I left Minnesota for Kansas at all…
Along with my excessive amounts of luggage from break, I think I also brought back the unbearable cold.
My B.
Like a lot of Minnesotans, I left to go to school out-of-state specifically to get away from our awful winters. Yes, Kansas still gets cold and some snow every now and then, but it was always bearable, and it was always reaching 50 degrees every three days. Apparently, though, Kansas didn't get the 'mild' winter memo this year.
I've been wearing only Bean boots for two weeks straight and I don't dare leave my house without mitten and a hat. I have to give myself a pep talk before I leave to walk to class every day and I'm constantly dreaming of being in the Tropics right now. But hey, I'm used to this kind of winter, but not everyone else is.
With all this snow, ice, and negative temps we have let me lend my expert advice on how to survive winter like a Minnesotan.
Don’t get lazy with layers
It very well may be sunny and 10 degrees, but the wind chill is a very real thing and it will make it feel like -10 outside. So no, one jacket will not cut it. Do yourself a favor and break out the hats, mittens, scarves, three jackets, and boots.
DO NOT HIT THE BREAKS
For the love of God, when it’s snowing and you’re driving DO NOT EVER hit your breaks! I know, it’s instinct, but it will do the exact opposite of what you want it to and you’ll end up spinning out and three lanes over in a second. Please be safe, and pump your breaks if you must stop. Better yet, just stay in bed where it’s warm.
Walk in the snow, not the icy sidewalk.
You WILL slip and slide and fall on your a** faster than you can say “ope” trying to walk on the ice-covered sidewalk. The area NEXT to the sidewalk, covered in snow will save you a sore butt and the embarrassment.
Stock up on food
When it's only 5 degrees outside and windchill is 20 below, no part of you is going to want to run and grab whatever you are craving at the moment, your car will not heat up as quickly as you want it to. So do yourself a favor and stock up on all the goods and stay in your warm bed.
Lotions and chapstick are your new BFFs.
You will get dry, crusty, crackle and chapped. It's not a good look for anyone. So stock up on chapstick, little travel size lotions, and Vaseline, they will be a lifesaver.
Make the best of a bad situation
Grab your mittens, a friend, and a sled and make the best of a snow day. Even if classes aren't canceled, take a personal day because if you have to be outside might as well have fun rather than walking to class.
And if you have any further questions about how to survive it's not that hard to find a Minnesotan on campus. They are the ones appropriately dressed and can be heard bragging that "this is NOTHING compared to what we deal with back in Minnesota!" because really, we deal with this kind of weather for nearly 6 months straight sometimes, we really are the experts on winter.
Good luck, and stay warm!
