Students are back on campus, the promenade is bustling and we’re officially ringing in the new year! Regardless of what your ins and outs are for 2026, it is unfortunately still winter time, and since we live in Syracuse, New York, that means snow—and lots of it.
With several expected lake-effect storms on the horizon, we’ve got a long snowy season ahead of us. The good news is we’ve put together a survival guide to keep you warm and safe this winter!
Layer Up
If you’re like me and you don’t want to wear a big winter coat every day because you think it makes you look like a marshmallow, the truth is… you need it. But if you want to make your outfit more fun, you can layer long sleeves, sweaters, scarves, hats and other accessories. Have fun with it! Picking our your outfit can still be enjoyable, and the more layers you have, the better protected you’ll be from the frosty air.
If you don’t already have a pair of snow boots, I’d recommend acquiring a pair of those, too. There’s no use in slipping and sliding around campus, making you lake for your first few weeks of class!
Treat Yourself to Cozy Drinks
One of the best pick-me-ups is a hot drink, especially on a chilly day. Whether you prefer a latte, matcha, tea or a good old cup of hot chocolate, treat yourself to a drink on those extra-frigid days. It’ll make the cold more bearable and keep your hands warm! Also, if you happen to get sick, hot drinks, especially tea with honey and lemon, are a great remedy.
Some of my favorite nearby spots include Salt City Coffee, Collegetown Bagels, People’s Place, Cafe Kubal, Recess Coffee and, of course, the Schine Dunkin if you can avoid the line. I’d recommend trying a place you haven’t been to before and treating yourself to a seasonal hot drink and sweet treat. Hopefully it’ll boost your spirits despite the cold!
Pick Up Indoor Hobbies
While sometimes we wish we could spend more time outside, the weather often doesn’t allow it. Especially when the roads are dangerous and icy, sometimes the best way to stay safe is to stay home.
This is the perfect time to start a new hobby! Starting a binge-worthy TV show or an exciting new book is a great way to make the snowy season more tolerable, or find a hobby for you and your roommates to bond over. From junk journaling to yoga, there are so many endeavors you can try. New year, new hobby!
Celebrate Soup Season
While meal prepping can be a struggle, there’s one food that’s always easy to make—soup. From chicken noodle to tomato bisque, soup is one of my favorite winter foods. It’s comforting, warm, good for sore throats and sinuses, and incredibly easy to put together with whatever you have in your fridge. If you’re not a soup fan, then cozy pasta dishes also do the trick!
Have a “Sick Day” Survival Pack
In addition to soup, I’d recommend that you have some wellness essential on hand, just in case you catch a cold. From tissues to cough drops, keep a little bin of medicine and other supplies for emergencies in your dorm or apartment; you’ll thank yourself later! Other necessities include hand sanitizer, vitamin C supplements, electrolytes and easy-to-make meals like instant noodles.
All these medications and other essentials can be found at the Barnes Center Pharmacy. If you’re in a time crunch, you can order online or renew a prescription through the Pharmacy Order Form, where retail products are organized into categories such as “Allergy/Cough/Cold Products” and “Fever/Pain Relief.”
Enjoy the Snow
After enough snowy days, they all kind of blend together, and it’s hard to enjoy something we’re all so used to seeing. But as a senior graduating in a few months, I know the days I’m going to remember most are the ones where my friends and I sled down Crouse Hill on cardboard boxes or had a snowball fight outside our dorm. So go play in the snow!
Written By Kate Jackson ’26, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs
This article is for reference purposes only and is not deemed an endorsement by Syracuse University.