Since the highs this week are reaching the high 70s again, here are some tips and tricks for surviving this heat wave with the heating on in the residence halls.

Every Barnard student will tell you that Sulzberger is the best residence hall because there is air conditioning. While, yes, it is heavenly when it is on, it becomes an evil box in the room when they switch it over to heat for the year. Instead of a refreshing blast of cool air, you are faced with the smell of something burning and hot air. It is like a portal to Hell has opened in your room. Even if you keep the demon box off, the ambient heat of the building and the sun beaming through the windows keeps the room a cool 199 degrees. Okay, that might be an exaggeration, but I do not have a room thermometer, so who knows?

Anyway, since most people in Sulz do not have fans because of the promise of an air conditioning unit, the situation is oh so much worse. Unlike students in other residence halls, Sulz residents have no way to regulate the temperature in the room. As a Southerner, I have had my fair share of miserably hot days, so I am giving all my Sulz girlies some helpful advice on how to get through the upcoming high temperatures this week.

1. Keep the window open. I know that the prospect of letting hot air into your room is not the most appealing, but you need to keep the air circulating. Otherwise, you will be in a stuffy hot room which is definitively worse than a breathable hot room. Also, an open window gives you the chance to have a breeze cool you off and allows for cool nights when the temperature drops.
2. Close the blinds. The sun rays magnified through the windowpanes increases the room temperature by a considerable amount. Think about being outside in the heat. You want to be in the shade, right? The same rule applies to room temperature because the sunlight produces heat no matter the location. Close your blinds to keep your room dark and cool like a state of perpetual shade.
3. Unplug or turn off any unnecessary devices. Everything with a motor produces heat from friction, which will increase the temperature of your room. Unplugging these devices will cool your room off some because every little bit of heat adds up. If you have a refrigerator and do not have anything perishable in it, unplug it for a little while to cool the room. Light also produces heat, so turn off your room lights and any lamps you have.
4. Keep your door open. I do not really know why, but the hallways are much cooler than the rooms right now, so keep your room’s door open if you can. Even just cracking the door will let some hot air escape and some cooler air enter.
5. Drink A LOT of water. You are going to sweat a lot more than you think you are, and you will not cool off as much from it because of the humidity in the rooms. Keeping yourself hydrated with cold water will both keep you alive (yay!) and cool you off some because your body is not effectively evaporatively cooling.
6. If you think you are getting too hot, take a cold shower. Just because you are not outside exercising does not mean you cannot get heat stroke. Know the signs and be prepared just in case. Ice baths are a great way to quickly reduce your body’s core temperature, so if the heat gets unbearable, get under some cold water.
7. Bonus: Get a fan. If you have the means, I would definitely suggest getting a fan. Even a small desk fan can help cool you down. If you do get one, buy an extension cord as well so you can keep the fan pointed at your bed or desk or wherever you spend most of your time in your room. This is absolutely not necessary, but could be a worthwhile investment.

All in all, my main rule is to try to live like moss, that is, to create a dark and damp environment to stay cool. Nature has a great way of showing us humans how to live, so learn from that by staying hydrated and turning off the lights.

I wish you luck in these last few vestiges of summer heat! Stay safe.

Demon A/C unit via Author