Let it snow!

The first snow of the year always brings about some new experiences for college freshman. Hopefully by now everyone has their winter gear; although you probably laughed at your parents when they used to tell you to zip up your coat and put on a scarf, you will find yourself doing so voluntarily, regardless of how goofy you think you look. It’s hard to imagine how cold your extremities can get merely walking to class, but you should be sure to take extra precautions to stay warm. Also, if you are one to go to the gym and work out, be sure to bundle up when walking back to your dorm or apartment because not doing so will surely result in a cold. Make sure your upper body is warm, and try to cover your head with a hat or a hood. Also, not covering your legs could result in cramping.

Walking to and from class after a fresh snow can be tricky. First of all, you want to make sure that you wear shoes with good traction; my friend and I counted nine people who slipped and fell on ice on our way to class this morning. It’s also smart to wear gloves to keep your hands warm. If you don’t wear gloves you will end up putting your hands in your pockets, which reduces your ability to balance or catch yourself if you slip. Another recommendation: dress in layers. Although this may seem somewhat obvious, it really is crucial. In order to prevent getting sick over the winter months be sure to bundle up, even just to walk to class. However, as soon as you get to class it’s not unusual to find yourself sweating, in which case layers come in handy.

One last thing to look out for after a fresh snow… Today when I was walking on campus I could hear a loud noise coming from the roof of a building. A few people moved off of the sidewalk away from the building, so I followed suit, unaware of why they were doing so. Sure enough, a few seconds later huge chunks of ice came crashing down onto the sidewalk from the roof. I was glad the people I had been walking near had known what was about to happen. So beware of sliding ice; this tends to happen in the afternoon when the sun starts to melt the snow and ice, causing it to slide off rooftops.