For some of us, waking up on Sunday, November 9th, to see snow-covered rooftops brought about a feeling of coziness and nostalgia. But for most, white specs falling from the sky represented the beginning of a long, brutal few months. The sun rarely shines, sidewalks turn to slush, and the bitter cold makes simply getting out of bed a chore. To be a Wolverine, you must come to terms with the fact that every year, around this time, the infamous “Ann Arbor Winter” arrives to throw your routine completely off course.
So here we are, about to take on yet another period of sub-zero temperatures and inevitable seasonal depression. While we could avoid the cold by hiding away in our houses, dorms, and apartments, there is only so long one can stay in hibernation. So the question becomes: what can we, as Michigan students, do to survive the months ahead?Â
Embrace the Holidays While Still At School
It is both ironic and convenient that the drop in temperatures is accompanied by an uptick in holiday spirit. Often, even those of us who detest winter as a season view the month of December as one of our favorites. The holidays bring a certain comfort to our lives that makes the shift away from sunshine and warmth a little more bearable.Â
Unfortunately, much of this season is spent focusing on midterms, finals, and other college-related stressors. I often find myself reminiscing over Christmases past under the assumption that the joy and whimsy I felt growing up are no longer achievable. But maybe it’s that way of thinking that is preventing us from continuing the tradition of “holiday cheer” now that we’re adults.Â
Regardless of what holidays you choose to celebrate, there are many ways we, as college students, can still make this part of the year special. Don’t wait to go home on December 15th for your holiday season to begin: Decorate your space, make hot cocoa a nightly staple, organize gift exchanges, and host holiday movie nights with friends. Some of my fondest memories from last year come from the month of December, in which my friends and I made it a priority to carve time out of our busy schedules and simply enjoy the holidays and everything they represent. Using the holidays to your advantage in this way will, without a doubt, help fight off the first waves of winter blues.Â
Get Excited About Your Winter Wardrobe
I have always found that winter clothing is more fun than simply throwing on shorts and a tank top. The potential to layer, for example, makes for a much more creative getting-ready process. And, while I could simply say investing in a good puffer is the key to a bearable winter, I would take it one step further. It’s not just about acquiring warmer items, it’s about finding joy in the perfect puffer, earmuff, and scarf combination, or falling in love with a new sweat set or sweater. The key here is getting excited about the options and learning to look forward to your winter wardrobe.
Find your spot
As I mentioned, a major tendency for college students during the winter months is to lock themselves inside in an attempt to hide from the cold. At the moment, it may feel good to stay put, but eventually, this can actually contribute to feelings of isolation and seasonal depression. In fact, in the depths of winter, getting out of your room and taking on campus becomes more important than ever.Â
I have found that having a “spot” can help with this. Finding a place on campus where you consistently go to meet with friends, study, or grab a coffee that feels almost as comfortable as your bed can encourage you to socialize and break out of your slump. For example, last year, my friends and I made the Michigan League our second home. In between classes, rather than running back to our respective dorms, we would gather there to work and socialize. This routine became a constant in my life from the months of December through March.Â
For you, this spot may be your favorite cafe, or, like many Michigan students, maybe you and your friends like to gather on the third floor of the Ugli. Through trial and error, finding the perfect “spot”, wherever that may be, can help make socializing and the simple act of “getting out” more accessible.
So much of our hatred for the season comes from our approach. Although certain purchases or activities can certainly help us endure what’s to come, I believe that the best “survival guides” are those that emphasise the importance of switching up negative patterns of thinking. Surviving Ann Arbor winter may never be “easy”, but, while we wait for the ice to melt, adopting these small changes in outlook is, without a doubt, our best bet.