Snow in NYC is rarely this white

Finals are looming, and the walk to Butler is becoming even more daunting as it gets colder outside. We asked our resident Northerners on staff–New Hampshirite Courtney Couillard and Massachusettsan Rachel Deal–to teach us how to survive the cold this winter and stay focused until the end of the semester.

Though we New Englanders think otherwise (we’re still taking our Dunkin iced!), our fellow Bwoggers insist that it is fucking cold. Here’s a guide of a few things you need to think about in order to survive the cold, especially if this is your first winter in the Northeast.

• Snow boots: You need them if you’re not used to snow (but honestly, we don’t get that much in NYC). We were fine last winter in just our old running sneakers, but we do also love our Bean Boots (and you can wear them 3/4 seasons of the year). Since Bean Boots are apparently already back-ordered until February, try scooping up a pair on Barnard Buy/Sell/Trade. Don’t forget to wear wool socks, too! Cotton socks will just make your feet colder if they get wet.
• Coat: If you get a long black Uniqlo coat, someone will probably accidentally take it at Cannons when they mistake it for their own. The more down, the better, except when your big-ass puffy coat takes up a whole lecture hall seat.
• Layering: You’re going to be shivering when walking down the wind tunnel that is 114th, but you know you’ll be sweating again when you get to your CC class in Hamilton or when you finally find a seat in Ref. Certain buildings on campus are always hot and humid, so be prepared to peel off layers when you get indoors. If it’s really cold, we suggest a base layer of a turtleneck with a sweater and a scarf on top (and then your jacket, of course). Your legs will probably be fine, but if you’re really not used to the cold (like our Texan EIC), you can wear a pair of long underwear or leggings under your jeans.
• Artificial sunlight: Campus is going to get even darker and uglier. Consider getting a happy light/therapy lamp/whatever they’re called–especially if you’re shafted.
• Fully stocked bar: Cold weather means the odds are low of trekking all the way down to 1020 on a Saturday night when it’s below 30 degrees. Keep your social life alive by taking a trip to International and stocking up on all of your preferred libations so you never have to leave your dorm to drink. Bonus: get a frozen marg machine to keep that Heights magic alive!
• Cold medicine/tissues/Emergen-C: Everyone is bound to start getting sick right before finals and wiping their gross sick hands all over the Butler doors. Make sure you’re stocked up on the cold season essentials (never enough Dayquil/Nyquil!) so you can fight off the inevitable winter cold before it starts taking over your life/causing you to fail all your exams.
• Electric blanket: A wonderful alternative to a cuddle buddy if you’re still single during cuffing season.

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