Hi, my name is Lauren, and I am from San Diego, California. My hometown is America's finest city--the weather is consistently sunny and warm, and the beach is only seven minutes away from my house. Better yet, San Diego rarely has rain (or any other variation of weather). I currently go to school at USC in Los Angeles, California. The weather here is relatively similar to home except it is marginally hotter since it is further in-land. For the past three days in Los Angeles, it has been pouring rain. Not sprinkling or scattered showers, but heavy rain--the kind where the rain drops leave your clothes and shoes soaking wet.
As a Southern Californian, I came to USC ill-equipped. Most of my friends from the East Coast and Pacific Northwest came prepared with rain coats and umbrellas while I was left empty-handed. I learned a few things about surviving the weather as a college student on a budget. Now, for all my fellow Southern Californians (or, warm-blooded readers) who do not know how to deal with the rain, I'll outline some tips that will help you make it through dreary days in one piece.
1. Actually Invest in an Umbrella
Trust me on this one--hoods (or, in my case, cotton sweatshirts) do not constitute proper protections from the rain. Venturing into the rain will leave you cold, damp, and miserable for the rest of your day. Do yourself a huge favor and buy an umbrella at Target or on Amazon Prime.
2. Get Active
As someone who is used to constant sunshine, being surrounded by dark, gray skies dampens my mood. I find little inspiration to leave my bed or to do anything that is remotely productive. In order to get some endorphins flowing, I have been hitting the gym for cardio sessions or the SoulCycle studio in DTLA. I always feel better going out than I previously did, and I am prepared to tackle my busy schedule even in the rain.
3. Embrace the Weather!
Instead of complaining about the chilly weather, get some friends together and settle in for the night. Pick up some tea, coffee, or hot cocoa and watch a movie or whip out some card games. Being surrounded by your favorite people will help lighten your spirits and make the rain a little more tolerable.
