College life turns Wisconsin winters into a whole different challenge, even if you think you’re used to the cold.
Even though I am from the Midwest, Wisconsin winters are no joke and are much harder to endure than I expected. Being from Chicago, I have experienced seasons my entire life and am used to heavy snowfall and cold winters, but something about dealing with this kind of winter while being in college just hits differently. Looking back, I am starting to realize why winters never affected me this much at home or in high school. I was driving everywhere, which turns out to make a huge difference.
Now, even having to brave the cold just to walk to class feels like a task in itself. Just last week when temperatures were at a record low, I walked to class wearing as many layers as I could. I had on a hat, gloves, a scarf and even two pairs of pants, yet I was still freezing the entire walk. By the time I got to class I was exhausted, even though the day had barely even started, which is not exactly how you want to feel before your first lecture. After class there was still the walk back, stopping to get groceries and getting through the simple tasks that I used to take for granted when the weather was not so brutal.
The cold takes a toll not just physically, but also socially. After a long day of simply getting through what needs to be done, the idea of having to walk somewhere again to see friends or do something fun feels overwhelming. Walking in the cold one more time just does not seem worth it, so staying home starts to feel like the obvious choice. The problem is that the weather’s not getting much warmer anytime soon. Even though the temperatures are no longer as extreme, winter still takes so much out of you that it feels like there’s barely any energy left for the things you actually enjoy.
Another issue that the harsh winter causes is a lack of motivation. Even though the new semester has just started and everyone has returned refreshed and ready for a fresh start, motivation already feels low. After walking to classes all day, all I want to do is bundle up and do something comforting, rather than walk to the library or attend a professor’s office hours in these temperatures. The constant gloom also plays a role. Seasonal depression is very real and it makes it even harder to stay motivated when the semester has barely begun.
So when people ask why I find Wisconsin winters so hard even though I grew up in the Midwest, the answer feels clear. There is simply so much more time spent outside in college and so many more responsibilities that require leaving your space. The cold affects you in ways it never did before. I cannot imagine how difficult it must be for the out-of-state students who have never experienced temperatures like this or snow. After spending winter break somewhere warm, being thrown back into this weather cannot be easy.
Luckily, this stretch of winter will not last forever. As temperatures slowly rise, hopefully moods and motivation will rise with them too.