Surviving Winter on Campus

Winter is my least favorite season. Don’t get me wrong, I love the first few days of snowfall, hanging out indoors while drinking hot chocolate with my friends, but overall I hate the cold, dark, gloomy days. Unlike many of you, I also don’t associate Christmas with Winter.  Coming from New Zealand, December is one of our summer months, so I have no reason to love winter. 

The winters back home are also nowhere near as cold or as snowy as they are here. My first winter on campus was brutal. I was sick most weeks, cold constantly and hated being stuck inside 24/7. However, over the past two years, I have learned some of the best tips for surviving winter on campus.

Eat and sleep well.

This probably goes without saying but making sure you’re eating well, and staying hydrated will save you. I always stay stocked up on fresh fruit and vegetables as well as always having some vitamin C supplements nearby. Staying hydrated will not only help you stay healthy, but it will also help keep your skin from drying out. If you’re worried about getting sick, I’d definitely recommend looking into some vitamin supplements. 

Get outdoors.

I know when it’s freezing cold outside, the thought of leaving the cozy comfort of your room seems terrifying; however, going for a little walk in the fresh air can always be a nice reset. Just make sure you have gloves, a beanie, and some warm clothes. Another fun snow activity to do, after construction is finished, is to get a couple of trash bags and a group of friends, and head over to Mount Beebe for some make-shift sledding. 

Embrace community.

The most important part of surviving winter on campus is making time to hang out with your friends. Whether you’re watching TV or a Movie, playing games or just chatting. Getting together with friends is a great way to enjoy winter a little more. You can always support the men’s or women’s basketball team, or go to one of the on-campus events. If you want to get off campus, I’d recommend going bowling at JAX-60 or go watch a movie at Jackson 10. 

These things, although super simple, will definitely make your winter on campus more enjoyable.

Written by SAU Marketing student Blair Currie.