As a student, there's nothing better than waking up to half-a-foot of snow and cancelled classes. Snow days can serve as a rewarding way to make up time, as well as a great distraction from other work. Here at Rutgers, the typical snow day tends to work like this:
Stage 1 – 9 am
Snow is on the ground, but all classes probably haven't been cancelled yet. Maybe after a little more sleep, there will be more news.
Stage 2 – 10 am
Okay, so all afternoon classes are cancelled, but evening classes aren't yet?! It's practically a blizzard outside! It's too early to get up, so a little more sleep wouldn't hurt.
Stage 3 – 11am
The first effort of snow shoveling commences while the streets remain unplowed. There may only be a few shovels, but with enough manpower, the driveway will be completely cleared off and de-iced in a matter of hours. Let's get to work!
Stage 4 – Noon
A few snow plows emerge, only to push a batch of snow back into the entrance of the driveway. It also starts snowing even harder, so shoveling the driveway is basically useless. It was a good workout, but otherwise pointless as the snow just keeps accumulating. Hopefully they cancel evening classes; having to travel for class would make this all worse!
Stage 5 – 1 pm
It's past lunchtime and a few housemates argue about whether ordering food is appropriate in near-blizzard conditions. While the majority agrees that it's wrong to do so, they order delivery anyway. The minority cooks their own food and enjoys it in a matter of minutes as the tension builds.
Stage 6 – 2 pm
The delivery is taking quite a while, and although the snow has all but stopped, most of us are not even sure if we have class later. Someone points out that the snow day is halfway over and that it hardly felt like time off. The room silently agrees.
Stage 7 – 3 pm
Food is here and evening classes are now cancelled; alright! If only I had spent my snow day doing something constructive rather than just waiting to hear that my classes were cancelled. Oh well. At least there's a little time left to enjoy the day off.
Stage 8 – Sometime later
So much fun is had that an online assignment, which was due on the snow day, is completely forgotten about. Oops.
