Despite the disconcertingly warm December that we enjoyed/were slightly alarmed by, the winter season has finally descended upon us, plunging us into an icy wasteland of unforgiving winter wind and uncleared walking paths.
That is, of course, unless you made the decision (which at these times of year, seems like the smartest decision in the world) to go to a college in a place like Florida or Southern California. To you lucky students out there that rarely have to deal with temperatures below 50 degrees, let it be known that the rest of us unfortunate souls are unspeakably jealous of you.
Now I’m from northern New Hampshire; theoretically, I should be well-adjusted to feet upon feet of snow and below-freezing temperature. I shudder to think what this must be like for those who are from someplace that doesn’t really have a proper winter season. And so, for those of you who have no idea how to deal with this hell we call "winter," here are some tips for you from someone who (once again, theoretically) does.
1. Go beyond the bare necessities.
Coat, boots, hat, gloves — if you didn’t realize that these were going to be necessary before, you certainly have realized by now. However, besides these basics, there are other accessories you could get that will make getting through the winter much easier. For those who like to text/listen to music/do anything on your phone on the way to class, texting gloves are a thing that exist and you can get a pair off of Amazon for around $8. And if you, like me, have foregone wearing actual pants in favor of leggings, fleece-lined leggings are an absolute godsend in the winter.
2. Drink a ton of hot chocolate.
Seriously, treat yo’ self. While you can technically drink hot chocolate at any time of the year, something about the winter just makes it taste better. So indulge, and if you can get your hands on a pan, cocoa powder, sugar, and milk, it’s pretty simple to whip up some homemade stove top hot chocolate that puts the powdered stuff to shame.
3. If you have a car...
... Know that driving in the winter is about twice as difficult as driving in the warmer months. Be careful, go slow, and for the love of god, do NOT hit the brakes when you’re driving up a snow-covered hill. There’s a 90% chance you’ll start sliding backwards, which no one wants. Also, you should probably get an ice scraper/snow brush because your windshield will, at some point, freeze over and become impossible to see through.
4. Participate in some traditional winter activities.
As much as I have grown to hate the snow, I am still a firm believer that everyone, at some point in their lives, should be involved in a proper snowball fight and build a snowman. If you can muster up the energy to remain outside in the cold beyond the required time to walk to class (and can convince your friends to do the same), you should try to partake in some of these classic outdoor winter activities — especially if you never have before.
5. Keep your chin up!
Regardless of whether or not you’re affecting by SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder, which is especially prevalent in the winter months but can be helped with light therapy), winter can be a bit of a downer. Sure, it can be beautiful, but you also spend a large part of it cooped up inside. The sun also has an unfortunate tendency to not really make an appearance for days on end. Just remember that although it seems impossible now, and there are days when it feels like winter will last forever, that it will, eventually, come to an end.
