Winter is Coming

It’s about that time in Williamstown when the days get darker, the air gets markedly more cold and the students get profoundly less enthusiastic. Winter is coming. Winter in Williamstown is decidedly beautiful but it can also be harsh, long and biting. All journeys across the small distance of our campus become treks across a brutal tundra, thus leaving students to bunker down in their rooms and walk quickly heads down, hands in pockets from place to place. After a year of experiencing the William’s winter, I’ve come up with 5 essential pieces of advice necessary for survival.

1. Invest in  sturdy, waterproof snow boots

Uggs are not acceptable. I repeat, Uggs are not acceptable for the snow. Unless you want your toes to slowly freeze off one by one, get a pair of insulated snow boots and maybe even some wool socks while you’re at it.  Your toes will thank you later and more practically you will be able to do outdoor snow activities (Sledding DUH!) without being miserable.

2. Take advantage of your warm bed and have movie marathons with friends

In my experience, the low temperatures and lack of daylight hours tend to make me anti-social. My bed becomes my favorite companion and it gets hard to leave it for the cold, outside world. That’s why during the winter it is especially important to make an effort to stay social, and you know, not hibernate in a blanket burrito during the weekends (although I can’t say it’s not appealing). Get some friends together, congregate somewhere warm, have some popcorn and watch a few movies!

3. Go skiing or snowshoeing or some other ridiculously outdoorsy winter activity

Williamstown is the perfect place to venture into winter activities. Go sledding, skiing, ice skating, snowshoeing–just get outside. Get some sun, try something new and try not to go crazy from being cooped up indoors.  Take advantage of Jiminy Peak and the Williams’ Outing Club and get out there and have a snowy, nose-running adventure.

4. Have a snowball fight

Self-explanatory. Snowball fights are awesome. First snow of the year, it’s going down. 

5. If all else fails, google schools in Florida/California and ask yourself why you were crazy enough to choose a school in the Berkshires. Follow that up with a quick peak at Eph Compliments to remember just how awesome the Williams community is.