It’s mid-October and Halloween is next week, which means we are at the height of autumn. Fall comes with the pleasures of hot drinks, apple picking and pumpkin flavoured anything. However with the turn of the leaves, also comes the promise of colder days and nights and eventual snow (sorry to mention the s word). It seems as if summer just ended, but soon the clocks will move forward and we will be walking to 8:30 morning classes across frost-covered grass. Being a native Montrealer, and third year McGill student, I have now hopefully mastered how to get around during these colder months.
Get a coat that can be worn in variable weather.
Fall weather is unpredictable; one day it will be 15 degrees and shining, and the next will be eight with heavy rain. Getting a coat that can survive through it all should be your number one priority, especially given that there’s a lot of outdoor walking to do between buildings on campus. The one I have is light and filled with down, so it can keep me warm, but it’s also breathable.
Water proof boots are a must.
While spring has the reputation for being the rainy season, fall still brings on a fair amount of rain. While it may be tempting to get a few last wears out of your sneakers before winter officially ensues, it’s important to know when boots are necessary. I got mine off a UK website called Boohoo; the English know how to handle cold and rain so I know they’re good.
Make use of the tunnels at McGill.
Walking between Burnside and Adams?
There’s a tunnel in the basement.
Walking from Adams to McConnell/MacDonald-Harrington?
There are hallways connecting them.
Walking between Stewart Bio and McIntyre?
You can access the tunnel from the ground floor of McIntyre or the staircase of Stewart Bio.
Walking up the hill to the west side of campus?
Go through Brown.
There are tons of indoor tunnels and shortcuts through buildings that can be taken to avoid walking outside, which is especially useful once the cold becomes painful to be in.
Fleece. Lined. Anything.
I swear by this. I own fleece lined sweatshirts, jackets, sweatpants, even leggings. As someone who also commutes for an hour to and from school each day, these help keep me warm and indefinitely comfortable. If fleece isn’t your thing, find something thick that you know is going to keep you warm on those upcoming cold days.
Images Obtained From:
https://www.yelp.ca/biz/universit%C3%A9-mcgill-montr%C3%A9al-3
https://www.bustle.com/articles/118844-7-fall-weather-clothing-struggles-only-tall-girls-understand
http://montrealinpictures.com/blog/2012/02/27/project-365-day-58/