Are you a west coast kid who is dreading their first winter? An equatorial individual who basks in the heat and is nervous about going to college where it’s cold?
Never fear! I, a certified Summer Lover©, am here to help. I went to high school in Dubai and before that lived in California— it’s safe to say that warm weather is my comfort zone. The past few months have definitely been a learning experience but after a few days of being snowed on, soaked in the rain, and everything in between, I feel qualified to give some advice about how to deal with the weather. For proof of my battles with the weather, see the picture below, taken after I got caught in the first snow of the season:
I had an 8 AM class so wasn’t thinking through what I was going to wear for the day (it happens when you have to wake up at 7:45!) and got caught in snow which turned to rain as it warmed up later in the day. The wind was also pretty intense, rendering my umbrella useless. The whole time, my snow jacket was in the mail, creeping its way towards me through USPS. This picture was taken in the bathroom of a dining hall as I tried to use paper towels to squeeze some of the water out of my hair.
Having the right gear is essential to acclimatizing yourself to the wind, rain, and cold temperatures of Philadelphia. When I’m not properly dressed my days are miserable and I feel like I can’t enjoy the activities I normally love. When I’m all bundled up and looking like the Michelin Man, however, I have a good time even if the temperature is in the 30s.
I recommend buying the following items:
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Leggings to wear under your pants: Legs get cold, and sometimes, a pair of jeans just won’t cut it. Leggings are a comfortable option that really do make a world of a difference in how warm you feel.
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Crew socks for when you wear boots: My ankles have been cut into when trying to wear low-rise socks with boots-- save yourself the pain and get some crew socks!
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Woolen scarves and beanies: Keeping my neck warm stops me from having a sore throat and beanies keep my ears from feeling like they’re about to fall off. If you really want to stay toasty, use wool!
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A waterproof down parka: You need the waterproofing for when it’s raining and snowing, the down to keep you warm, and a parka length to stop your legs from freezing.
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Gloves with touchscreen pads: When you’re outside and waiting for a friend to show up, the last thing you want is to have to take off your gloves to text them!
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Rain boots: Locust Walk drainage is a work in progress. Get the rain boots!
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Long sleeve layering t-shirts: With lots of layers you stop yourself from overheating once you’re in buildings.
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Sweaters: To keep you cozy when you’re inside and to stop the shivering when you aren’t.
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An umbrella and raincoat: Sometimes, it’s rainy but sunny, like during September of 2018. Having rain gear that isn’t super warm helps too!
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Thermals: For extra snug layering fun.
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Snow boots: Slipping on ice can and does happen, so get snow boots that will keep you warm and prevent you from falling!
I know it seems like a lot, but if you scavenge for sales and take advantage of Black Friday deals you’ll be able to find everything you need. Being properly dressed is crucial because it prevents you from getting sick. Do not skimp on this!
On a more mental note, living in a colder climate requires a mindset shift. You can’t let the weather get you down or stop you from living your life how you want. For example, I love going on walks in Penn Park and along the Schuylkill River trail. Now that it’s colder, I don’t skip the walks. I simply layer up and head on out. When the weather looks intimidating from the comforts of my dorm room, I don’t skimp on my commitments to class or friends— I just start getting ready to leave earlier because I know it’ll take me some extra time to get dressed. At the gym, I accept that I’ll need to get a locker and leave my coat, hat, and gloves in there. When I want to visit other friends in the Quad, I get creative with finding routes within the building. The weather should not be an obstacle to pursuing what makes you happy!
Based on what I’ve said above, winter can seem like a real drag. However, there are plenty of perks to the season. Snow can be beautiful, warm drinks taste better when it’s cold outside, sweaters are snuggly, sleeping in feels more indulgent, the crisp air is refreshing, and holiday decorations are beautiful.
Whether you end up in the tropics or far in the north, there’s something to be enjoyed in every weather situation. Have fun with it!
