By: Delia Rune
It’s always hard to imagine that the sweaty, sticky BU campus students encounter in their first month in Boston will eventually be blanketed in snow and ice. But, regardless of how hot it is when students first arrive on campus, inevitably, winter will come. I’m originally from Texas, and I’ll never forget my first Northeast winter freshman year and how ill-equipped I was for it. If
I could go back in time, I would give my freshman year self a few tips to help her get through the cold New England winters.
1. Put off pulling out the “big coat”
I’ve found that once I pull out my biggest coat (for me, the Aritizia superpuff), I find that I end up wearing it every day and surrender to the fact that winter has officially begun. As a result, I’ve learned to procrastinate pulling out my big jacket – the longer I wait to wear it, the longer it takes for winter to “officially” start.
2. You might not need snowshoes
I bought snowshoes before classes started my freshman year, and it only snowed once! I’ve rarely had to pull out my snowshoes and think there’s a high chance you might not need them.
3. Keep track of what jackets work in what temperatures
When I first started dressing for the cold, I wasn’t sure what different temperatures meant. Does 40 degrees mean I need to wear my thickest jacket or a sweatshirt? My freshman year, I found it helpful to keep track of what clothing felt appropriate for different temperatures, so I could better interpret the weather forecast before leaving for class.
4. Invest in fun winter accessories
Having a scarf and hat is not only necessary to stay warm, but it can make getting ready in the morning more fun too! Try to pick out some gloves, hats, and scarves that you are excited to wear – it’ll make putting them on a little easier.
5. Prioritize sunlight
For me, the hardest part of Boston winters isn’t the cold – it’s the darkness! The sun sets early in Boston in the winter, so make sure you get outside as much as you can while the sun is out, even if it’s cold.
Hopefully, these tips will help other southerners adjust to New England weather. But, for now, try to appreciate the sun and the heat – soon you’ll be wishing it was 90 degrees again!