During my freshman year here are Syracuse, an upperclassman informed me that my first Syracuse winter would "build character." I, being from Long Island and thinking I had experienced all of the terrible weather that the world had to offer, didn't believe this comment. The following is a pretty accurate depiction of what every Syracuse student will experience every year. 

1. You've enrolled at Syracuse. Upon any mention of you going to Syracuse, friends, family, and and the nice guy who makes you that great sandwich at that awesome deli will give you a sympathizing look and remind you how cold is it there. 

2. Come early November, you'll still experience a few 60 degree days here and there. Things will seem confusing. Maybe everyone was wrong about the weather here. 

3. Sometime in late November, the snow will start to fall. You'll think this "Syracuse winter" thing isn't such a big deal. Campus will look beautiful, and Instagram will become your best friend. 

4.In fact, the snow might even be fun to play in. You'll steal a tray from the dining hall and sled down the hill that Crouse sits on.

5. The weathermen will come on air with a new report. They'll predict a polar vortex and four feet of snow within the next 10 hours. 

6. The predictions will be right.

7. So right.

8. Social media will turn into an open forum to discuss this crazy phenomenon. Because no one in Syracuse has heard of or seen snow before. 

9. It will get so cold that it will a hurt to be outside. Seriously.

10. You will quickly learn that the Northface and Hunter boots you've been managing to get by with are not cutting it anymore. You're going to invest in a Canada Goose down jacket and some Sorel boots. 

11. You will find it hard to believe that it can snow this much for this long. Like, where does it all come from?

12.  The university will send out emails informing you of the dangers of the extreme cold and advise you to be outside as little as possible. Obviously, class is still in session. 

13. The weathermen will predict another three feet of snow. It'll be "nothing compared to that terrible snow storm we had a few years ago!"

14. You'll cancel any plans to go home for the summer. At this rate, it'll take at least a year for all of this accumulated snow to melt away. You'll settle for knowing that you might very well be stuck here forever. 

15. Some time in March, you'll turn on the weather channel and see if maybe, just maybe, the temperature is going to rise even a few degrees above freezing. The weathermen will announce that for the first time in seemingly years, you won't be experiencing snow this week. 

16. At this point, you won't even remember what life without four layers, a scarf, a hat, gloves, wool socks, snow boots, and foot warmers is even like. You're cynical and can't, and also won't, believe this miracle forecast. 

17.  Finally, the sun will come out again. You will see the grass for the first time in months. 

18. And ultimately, Mayfest will roll around. You'll remember why you tolerate the winter at this school.