Tag Archives: winter weather

Student Life

The Four Most Essential Pieces of Clothing for Winter on Campus

Walking around campus during the winter can be . . . shall we say . . . less than fun.  It’s often slippery, cold, and windy.  It also seems like everything you wear gets drenched whenever it snows.  This is because college is different; you are constantly walking in between buildings to get to your classes.  You need the right gear to make it through your day without getting cold and drenched.  This is why we’ve put together a list of the four most essential pieces of clothing for getting through winter on campus.

Photo from buffalostate.edu

Snow boots.  Your best friends will be snow boots when it gets to be really snowy.  We suggest picking boots that are not only waterproof, but also have a warm lining and have treads on the bottom so you don’t face plant on your way to class.

A waterproof snow jacket.  Like we said, it seems like every time it snows on campus, everything you wear seems to get wet.  This is why a warm, waterproof snow jacket is a great idea for getting through those cold, snowy days.

Gloves.  Gloves are pretty much a give in, however, we don’t just recommend any gloves.  We specifically recommend getting gloves that have some sort of traction so that you’ll still be able to use your phone while you’re wearing them.  It can be a pain if you have to make a phone call and you have to remove your gloves.  The best thing is to either find gloves that just naturally work well enough so that you can still use your phone, or find gloves that can do that (they actually make them, which is cool).

A hat.  Like gloves, a hat is kind of a give in.  However, we really recommend a thick knit hat that will cover your ears.  This way you won’t get that searing pain in your ears that you get when it’s really cold and windy outside.  This will also prevent you from getting too soaked when it’s snowing out.

While some of this stuff may seem like a no-brainer, prepping for your trek across campus can sometimes feel like a science that you have to learn and perfect.  It really comes down to what is going to keep you the warmest and the driest when it gets really nasty outside.

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Student Life

Winter Weather Prep

Photo from http://saturdaybriefing.outrigger.com/

Especially if this is your first time living off-campus, there are certainly some things you need to know about getting yourself prepped for the snow and ice that comes around this time of the year.  Particularly with the recent Nor’easter, this seems particularly appropriate.

The first thing you need to consider is essential supplies to keep on hand.  Of course you’ll need basics like a snow shovel (ideally for both your car and your apartment), road salt or de-icer, and an ice scraper for your car.  However, you also want to consider putting together an emergency kit in case you get snowed in.  A home emergency kit should include:

  • Canned goods
  • Bottles of water
  • Batteries
  • Flashlights
  • Battery-operated radio
  • Extra blankets (in case the power goes out and you don’t have heat)

You’ll also want to make sure that you have an emergency kit in your car in case you get stuck somewhere.  A car emergency kit should include:

  • Sleeping bag (preferably a camping sleeping bag, as that will be able to keep you warm)
  • Extra winter boots
  • Additional warm clothing
  • Non-perishable or semi non-perishable snacks
  • Bottled water
  • Flashlight
  • Extra batteries

These types of kits, although you may feel like you don’t need them, could save your life in the event you get stuck with no electricity or you get stuck in your car.

We also recommend getting proper snow attire, especially when you’re walking around campus (because class isn’t cancelled when it snows).  Some great winter gear we’ve learned to keep on hand are

  • A winter jacket that is waterproof
  • Waterproof snow boots with a tread
  • Long underwear or spandex to put on underneath your clothes
  • Winter hats
  • Scarves
  • Waterproof gloves or mittens

Take it from us:  These are some of the essentials for getting through winter both on- and off-campus.

Overall, the best thing you can do is to get prepared for winter before it gets here, as the snow and the ice can often come way before the first day of winter.

References:

“Top 10 Winter Survival Tools and Tactics” by Roby Ferrari

“Put Together a Winter Home Emergency Kit” by Jason Fitzpatrick

“Put Together a Winter Car Emergency Kit” by Jason Fitzpatrick

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