Anyone from the Midwest knows that winters are harsh, especially in Wisconsin. The current temperatures, which are in the 20s and 30s, are mild compared to what they’ll be come January and February. Bitterly cold weather is just around the corner, and there are some essentials that every UW-La Crosse student should have.
Starting the list, every student should own a warm, insulated jacket. It could be fashionable or more practical, but the main thing that it should be is warm. When temperatures plummet to the negatives, keeping core body heat in is going to be the most important thing. Some excellent winter jackets are made by The Northface, Volcom, Columbia, but basically any coat that is durable and warm enough to last through the entire winter is a good coat to have.
Next, every student needs a sturdy pair of boots. While Uggs are trendy, they won’t stand up to frigid cold or slushy snow on the occasional warmer days. Boots are especially vital for students living off campus. Walks to class will seem infinitely longer and colder if proper footwear isn’t considered.
Insulated wool leggings are something to think about purchasing or asking for over the holidays. Non-insulated leggings, while comfortable, may not be adequate at preserving body heat, while insulated leggings are perfect for warmth as well as looking good!
Another thing to consider is that winter conditions won’t seem so bad if you take the time to stock up on warm drink mixes now. It could be fun to pick out delicious hot chocolate mixes or teas. Additionally, travel mugs are a plus to have because you have the choice to bring your hot drinks with you to class! Not only will you feel warm from drinking from it, your hands will also stay toasty from holding onto the cup.
While most of the things on the list now are mostly to keep you physically warm, something to think about is what’s going to keep you emotionally warm, too. Winter is a time when many people suffer from seasonal depression, so be sure to have some movies on hand to enjoy the winter months. Movies like Frozen, Home Alone or A Christmas Story are perfect to cozy up with on a cold and snowy night. They’ll also leave you with positive feelings towards winter.
There are plenty of other fun must-haves for winter, like mittens, gloves, scarves, hats, etc., it’s also good to think about practical essentials. Having salt for slippery driveways and sidewalks is something off-campus students need to think about to have a better, less accident riddled winter. Another thing is to make sure your car’s heating system is in working condition and the tires are good enough to have traction on icy roads.
The most important thing to have this winter is a positive attitude. Whether winter is your favorite season or you can’t wait until it’s over, it’s imperative to have a good outlook on it and find things to do that make you happy. Building a snowman with friends, having a relaxing dinner and watching snowflakes drift past the window or even looking forward to a tropical vacation over winter break can help improve your winter experience and make it one to remember.