It’s snowing and slippery outside, and it’s quite possible that there is another Polar Vortex descending on Iowa City. It’s Friday night, and one question presses to the front of your mind: To go out or not to go out? How do you decide between being social and letting loose after a long week of classes, and simply curling up on the couch and popping in a movie with your roommates? It is a struggle we are all familiar with and one that we hope one day will get easier.
Pro: If you go out, you can wear a huge sweater, and you won’t stand out.
Con: Even if you go out and wear a huge sweater, you will probably still be freezing cold on the walk downtown and then overheat once you enter a bar.
Pro: The majority of the bars have Christmas decorations up. It will get you in the Christmas spirit, and you love being in the Christmas spirit. There is a chance they will even play Christmas music.
Con: You can embrace Christmas by sitting in your living room and turning on the Christmas lights you and your roommates took the time to string up. Then you can watch The Santa Claus on your DVD player.
Pro: There are specials tonight! Where else can you find two dollar drinks besides Iowa City?
Con: Staying in and watching a movie you already own would be free. And all college students need to save as much money as possible.
Pro: It is not frowned upon to wear ugly Christmas sweaters during this cold time. And you have a lot of those that have never seen the light of day.
Con: It might not be frowned upon now, but when you look at pictures in July from this weekend, it might be.
Pro: The cold weather provides a great opportunity to snag a jacket from the cute guy you have been talking to all night. Everyone knows how valuable those are.
Con: There is a chance that the guy is also affected by the sub-zero temperatures and wants to keep his jacket for himself. If so, you are out of luck (and most likely running home to avoid frostbite).
This struggle is a common one from Thanksgiving Break to March, and it does not get any easier until the cold snap breaks. Weigh your pros and cons carefully because once you decide to go out or stay in, there is no going back.
My advice? Take advantage of the nights that are above freezing, and sit yourself out the nights that have sub-zero temperatures.