Not everyone goes to college close to home. Diversity is one of the most valued characteristics of any university, and so students come from far and wide to attend the school of their dreams.
Here in the New England region of the country, snow, ice, sleet, and cold wind are about as common as a Boston accent. For those of us born and raised on the East Coast (where my New Yorker's at?) winter means snowmen, hot chocolate, Canada Goose jackets, and black ice -- and we wouldn't have it any other way.
However, I've met plenty of West Coast and southern hemisphere students for whom this blustery, wet, chilly weather is a whole new experience. Here are some survival tips from yours truly, to help get through the winter.
1. Heating
No, don't buy an electric blanket. For god's sake, it's only 50 degrees. No need to bust out the space heater yet. And even when it gets below 32 (thats Fahrenheit, FYI) all you need is a fluffy duvet to keep you snuggly warm. Don't invest in hot water bottles, or attempt to light your dorm's fireplace (really, please don't do that). Take a trip down to Urban and purchase a few thick comforters, an extra pillow or two, and you're bed will be toastier than...well, toast.
2. Clothes
I once met a kid from Cali who didn't own a jacket, but just wore sweatshirts layered one on top of the other all winter long. You don't want to be that kid. That kid got hypothermia. Alternatively, you also don't want to be the person who walks outside in a snowsuit in March. A scarf or two is fine, and make sure you buy a hat. Nothing worse than cold, wet hair. Jackets should be WATER PROOF, I repeat, NO CLOTH/SUEDE/FURRY COATS. They will be a ruined, soggy mess, and so will you by the time you manage to peel that thing off of your cold, trembling, hypothermic body. Boots are a must. Snow is thick and slushy and disgusting the second it hits the ground. I don't want to see any converse-wearing students limping around campus with water soaked through to the socks, people
3. FUN!
Okay, this part is key. Snow is amazing. Probably the most fun you will ever have outside involves snow. Lie down and make snow angels, mush clumps of that stuff between your hands and stuff it down your friend's shirt, roll in it, run in it, fall over in it, fight with it, and most importantly: build a snowman with it! Major key alert, guys. Frozen was a hit movie for a reason, it spoke to the inner child inside all of us. I don't care if you've never even seen snow before, you'll want to participate. This is college, they give you psets, they give you papers, they don't want you to build a snowman -- but goddamnit you are going to build that snowman!
