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<\/p>\nIf there\u2019s one thing we Orange can brag about, it\u2019s our ability to weather some serious weather.<\/p>\n
As the days get shorter and our pants get longer, we begin to wonder if we\u2019ll ever feel warm again. Cry no more, Syracuse University community\u2014seriously, tears and snot can both freeze if it\u2019s cold enough. I have compiled a comprehensive, albeit non-exhaustive, list of ways to survive the brutal Syracuse winters.<\/p>\n
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My qualifications? I\u2019ve made it through three winters here with all my toes intact, and I\u2019m from Vermont, which I\u2019d argue is even colder than \u2019Cuse. So, strap on your rubber-soled boots, put on your fleece-lined hats and follow me into the snow.<\/p>\n
Cocoa, coffee, tea, cider, golden lattes, the list goes on! If you\u2019re able, dedicate some time and\/or money to discovering which of these beverages is your favorite because it will save you on those days where the wind chill dips into the negative double-digits. Bonus: if your preferred drink happens to be coffee, many of the on-campus caf\u00e9s offer \u201ccoffee club cards\u201d that earn you a free \u201ccup a joe\u201d after you purchase five coffees. They don\u2019t advertise this service, so be sure to ask for a \u201ccoffee card\u201d at the cash register next time you\u2019re getting your morning cup!<\/p>\n
Take notes, there will be a test:<\/p>\n
That\u2019ll be all.<\/p>\n
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Now, I am not suggesting you befriend someone just to gain access to their car, that would be morally wrong. But, it wouldn\u2019t be a terrible idea to try and make some upperclassmen friends if you\u2019re a freshman or sophomore living in a dorm sans heated vehicle. Uber bills add up quickly, my friends. Don\u2019t be afraid to chat with some of the more senior members in your clubs or classes\u2014trust me, we\u2019re just as clueless as you are, and we\u2019re usually pretty excited to meet the \u201cnext generation,\u201d so to speak.<\/p>\n
I know, I know\u2014Syracuse University students are known for being socially active. But, the value of nights spent alone or with close friends cannot be overstated, in my opinion. When the roads have iced over, and there\u2019s a foot of snow outside, the last thing I want is to put on a tiny top and walk miles with unstable footing. Try swapping your warm-weather weekend staples for movie nights, dinner parties, charcuterie boards and early bedtimes. That last point is especially<\/em> important to help you fend off the requisite college flu. Some of my favorite nights in college have been in chill group settings, eating good food and getting to know my friends better.<\/p>\n Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD is no joke. Winters in Syracuse are dark and long, and self-care nights become necessary with the lack of sunshine and vitamin D. Self-care looks different for everyone. For you, it could be the traditional face masks and bubble baths, or you may prefer reading, creating or attending one of the university\u2019s sponsored self-care events.<\/p>\n Remaining University-sponsored self-care events this semester include:<\/p>\n In the same vein as self-care, community is necessary for thriving during the short, cold winter days. Strength in numbers is the central message of one of my all-time favorite New York Times articles, \u201cHow We Survive Winter.\u201d<\/strong><\/a><\/span> Though written almost a year ago, its message is just as relevant today as it was mid-pandemic\u2014as a community, there\u2019s nothing we can\u2019t power through. Lean on your friends, call your loved ones and make time for social activities amongst the final exam hecticness.<\/p>\n Find your favorite moisturizing lip balms and hand lotions and carry them with you at all times; the wind in Syracuse is not kind to delicate skin.<\/p>\n5. Self-care<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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6. Community<\/strong><\/h2>\n
7. Lip balm and lotion<\/strong><\/h2>\n
8. Boots with tread<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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