After a long winter break, many students dread the thought of walking to and from class in uncomfortable, cold temperatures, but knowing ways to stay warm could make all the difference.
There are multiple ways for both students living on campus and commuters to make it through the cold months, and the most effective methods can be the most simple, according to Dr. Herman Crisler, a pediatrician in Memphis.
“In my opinion, the best way for a student living on campus to stay warm is to keep their heat pretty warm during the night, bundle up tightly on their way to class and maybe stop for some warm coffee,” Crisler said. “I’m sure there are more creative ways, but I tend to stick to the basics because they have always worked for me.”
There are also many options for commuter students to stay warm, Crisler said.
“For commuters, I would definitely recommend bundling up, keeping the heat on during the ride to school and parking as close as you can to your classes to stay out of the cold,” Crisler said.
Although some may stick to the basics, there are many students who have more creative methods to stay warm.
Business sophomore Chase Bearden’s idea uses a quick fix to fight cold weather.
“I know this is going to sound a little weird, but it is very helpful,” Bearden said. “When I wake up and get dressed in the morning, I put hand warmers in my shoes, my jacket and in my pockets.”
Nursing junior Rachel Dunlap stays warm throughout the day by preparing in the morning.
“I keep about a gallon or so of Starbucks coffee in my dorm,” Dunlap said. “Every morning when I wake up, I make a big cup of it.”
After her coffee, Dunlap said she takes a hot shower.
“I take a steaming hot shower and put as many clothes on as I can to stay warm throughout my day,” Dunlap said.
Theater senior Kaylee Wiley has been doing the same routine to stay warm for almost three years.
“Since my freshman year, I have used a very unusual method that many other girls wouldn’t use, but it works like a charm,” Wiley said. “I try to gain about eight to 10 pounds right before winter starts because it is so much easier to stay warm with a little bit more fat.”
Students Chase Sutton and Anelises Kilpatrick sit on the steps of the University Center using Starbucks coffee to warm up. Drinking a hot drink like coffee or hot tea can be one of the most simple but most effective ways to stay warm during the winter months.
Senior biology major Holliann Belton walks past steam spilling out of the manhole covers on campus. During the next few cold months, students are encouraged to dress warm for their trek across campus.
Karen Bradley of the U of M history department walks past the administration building while dressed in warm clothes.
