I understand that I live in the South. I understand that it is much colder in the Northern states and that, comparably, I have it easy. I am still freezing cold in North Carolina.
Don't get me wrong. I was born and raised in Michigan and I still remember the miserable sting of the wind against my face and the subzero temperatures in January and the several feet of snow. Just because you are from the North does not mean you are immune, or even acclimated to the cold weather.
I used to think the cold really was not that bad, until I got to college and actually have to walk to classes rather than running from my car into school where I would stay inside for seven hours, and then go home and stay inside. Now, I actually have to venture outside of the heated zones. Trust me, it is not easy.
Think about getting out of bed in the winter and just wanting to curl back up in your covers, rather than getting ready, and then think about actually having to go walk outside for 20 minutes to get to class. It is not a desirable feeling. If making it to an 8 a.m. class was hard before the winter, good luck now.
Slightly less demanding, but still very important, walking to fraternities in the 18 degree weather is not an easy task. Some of us are bold enough to still wear tank tops and cute dresses out in this weather, although I have yet to brave this feat. The social life really takes a hit because of the cold.
Another prevalent struggle is the healthy lifestyle you tried so hard to keep up with at the start of the semester. You swore off the freshman 15, but in these conditions running outside is practically a death wish. I ran about seven minutes a couple days ago, and my throat paid for it. Not only is exercising more difficult to do outside, I don't even want to leave my building to go to the gym in the next one over. Admittedly, it might be a 30-second run outside in the cold to make it there, but it just doesn't sound appealing. And when it is cold, I just want warm food, and all the warm food possible. Coffee on coffee, and soup and pasta, I'll take whatever will make me warm. They call it comfort food for a reason.
I would like to make a closing statement about the static and the dryness of the air that makes me walk into class and take off my jacket to, subsequently, shock everyone around me and rock the electrocuted hair-do. It's a good look, everyone loves it!
While I would very much cherish a couple of snow days in the near future, if it means having classes cancelled, I am already looking forward to warm, sunny days when I can leave my building in peace and happiness. How soon until spring?
