We're halfway through the month of September which means winter is right around the corner for the city of Reno. I have a feeling that there are many new students to the university who are not prepared for the upcoming weather conditions. I won't lie, coming to Reno from Vegas is quite a climate shift, and I wasn't prepared for the cold. I would run to class just so I wouldn't have to deal with the wind, or rain, or sometimes snow. I'd put on six layers of clothes, no exaggeration, my newly-purchased, weather-resistant boots and two pairs of socks. And I'm going to be honest, there's no such thing as "fall" or "autumn" here; we jump straight into winter. But you know, I feel like I won't do you justice by only explaining how the next few months will be, so I'm going to have some assistance from someone who lives in a pineapple under the sea.
1. You're going to be excited because you get to wear your brand new sweaters.
You've prepared yourself for this moment all year long. You knew Reno was going to be a pretty cold place so you decided that stocking up on this fall's latest fashion statement sweaters were the way to go.
2. Fall will hit and you'll think, "oh this is a piece of cake."
The first few days will be breezy, but sunny. It's not going to be super cold during the day, but the nighttime will be a different story.
3. You'll experience your first Reno "fall" night.
You'll step outside, thinking that what you wore during the day is fine to travel from your residence hall or apartment to the Joe because it's only September, but you'll feel how brisk it is. And you'll feel the wind. And you'll turn around to go get a bigger coat.
4. Come October, fall no longer exists. Welcome to winter.
Like I said before, there's no such thing as fall in Reno. From here on out, it's going to be cold. Thank goodness that football games are all during the day this year or else we would all be freezing.
5. You're going to have to walk to class bundled up every day.
Yeah, you get to show up in your nice sweater that you bought, but underneath that will be two to four more layers—depending on who you are—and there's a good chance that once you get to your class or other destination, the heat is going to be cranked up so you'll rush to shed those extra layers.
6. You'll need to prevent yourself from getting sick.
This is crucial, especially if you have exams and quizzes to worry about. It starts getting cold around midterm season, so you want to make sure that you're not going to get sick. Take your vitamins, drink liquids, remember to eat, or follow whatever regimen you have that will keep you healthy.
7. The first snowfall...
...will be like a new day to some of the students here on campus. Some have never seen snow in their lives, some only for a short amount of time. If you're from Vegas, like me, then you know that we've had a snow day or two, but only within the last decade. Unfortunately, it may not happen right away. It usually happens after we return from winter break. It'll be a new experience, but once it happens, it's a beautiful sight.
This is only from my experience from when I moved here three years ago, but it's a pretty accurate description of what happens from what my peers have told me. It's not going to be as bad as you think, but this winter is supposed to be a heavy one, so get ready y'all. Break out the parkas and snow gear. We'll survive this together.
