Being a student at UMaine is certainly an adventure. It is a large enough campus to occasionally get lost at but small enough that it feels like a family. In the fall, at least in my opinion, the campus is at its peak beauty. The foliage is spectacular and the sunsets hit the rustic brick buildings in just the right way so as to make the entire campus look like an L.L. Bean ad.

However, once winter hits, and I mean REALLY hits, this campus can be tough to navigate. Here are 10 things that UMaine students will understand about campus in the winter:

1. The snow is only enjoyable for the first snowfall

Yes, while the first snow fall on campus looks so beautiful, by the third or fourth round it can become unbearable. Sidewalks and roads disappear and walking to class can be an all out workout.

2. Building-hopping to prevent your face from freezing off

I can almost guarantee that every student here has done this. When it's brutally cold out and the walk to class takes more than 10 minutes, everyone, myself included, will cut through any buildings in our path just to keep warm.

3. Ice. Ice everywhere

I can't understand why this campus does such a poor job of salting the roads and sidewalks. The path outside of my apartment literally becomes a skating rink in the winter. The campus as a whole is one big outdoor skating rink. Maybe have the hockey games take place outside from now on!

4. The lack of snow days

During my four years here, I can only remember having four complete snow days. For some reason, UMaine doesn't see the potential dangers of walking and driving in blizzard-like conditions. The most common thing they'll do is cancel afternoon classes, but that still doesn't help out those students who have morning classes. It's also dangerous to make faculty members drive from as far as three hours away to come teach in weather like this.

5. Parking becomes a game of Russian Roulette

I personally don't own a car, but everyone I know who does only has horror stories from the morning parking rush. Between all the rules, permits, and lack of room to accommodate all the students, parking can become a literal situation right out of the Hunger Games.

6. Planning outfits for the weather rather than for making a fashion statement

I honestly want to cry when thinking about all the cute outfits I own but can't wear due to the Arctic temperatures. Bye bye skirts and heels, hello snow boots and sweatpants.

7. The wind that feels like a dozen knifes coming at your face

I don't think I even need to explain this one further. We all know the pain, but we bear with it because we love Maine.

8. Regretting ever complaining about the lack of air conditioning during the beginning of the year

I personally do this every year. During the first few weeks of school, I'm praying for winter, but then once winter hits, I long for the days and nights where I could go out in shorts and sleep without shivering.

9.Taking pictures of snow-covered Fogler

Fogler library is one of the most photographed places on campus, and rightfully so. When snow covers the roof, it makes for a lovely, artsy picture.

10. The beauty of the campus under a fresh sheet of snow

Our campus wasn't voted as one of the most beautiful campuses in the country for nothing. Just looking around during the winter at the snow-covered brick buildings and pine trees showcase just how lovely this campus is, and reminds us how lucky we are to go to school here.

Even though dealing with the harsh winter weather can be a literal pain, I still wouldn't trade studying here at UMaine for the world.