What The Cold Weather Means For College Students

By Victoria Robertson on January 19, 2016

This winter has been one of the most brutal, and it doesn’t seem to be letting up anytime soon. According to the weather this week, 14 states (spanning from Minnesota to North Carolina) will be facing wind chill advisories due to the increasingly cold temperatures.

So what does this cold front mean for students?

Over the past several months, commuters have faced ice, snow and storms all across the country, and now the colder elements the weather has to offer are moving in quickly, becoming a safety risk as well as a health risk.

In the months ahead, especially this week as the wind chill drops below freezing in many parts of the country, students are urged to bundle up, and stay inside if at all possible.

On their way to class, scarves can be used to cover their face to block wind, gloves should be worn and heavy winter jackets as well as boots are recommended. The warmer you can dress, the better. And although the transition from outside into the buildings is a bit rough (as they’re typically heated thoroughly), dressing in layers is a great way to keep warm and to prepare for this change in temperature.

And though dressing for the weather is important, it’s just as important to take care of your apartments/dorms, especially if you are leasing and this responsibility lies on you alone.

To avoid freezing pipes and other plumbing issues, be sure to set your thermostat to at least 69 degrees, not letting it fall below this point. It’s also important to ensure that the heat is working; if it isn’t, call maintenance right away.

Image via Pixabay

Ideally, you’ll want to check to make sure everything is working before the winter hits, but always let maintenance know of any problems ASAP, especially since it will typically take them a few days to get to you.

Also, be aware of your dorm’s obligations. Though it’s very possible you won’t be individually able to control the heat/air conditioning in your room, there is typically a state minimum at which your room must be heated to in the winter. Do some research and if it’s below that point, contact the office to let them know.

It might seem a little dramatic, but the cold temperatures are cause for students to be aware of their buildings’ regulations, especially when they feel that they aren’t being met — as this ultimately becomes a safety hazard.

Another important consideration for students is transportation — especially if they have cars on campus.

For one thing, you’ll want to allow plenty of time to get to your destination during the winter, as you never know what the conditions will be. Even if you use public transportation, stay up to date on the weather, as trains and buses are continually affected by weather changes and it’s very possible you’ll be late.

But most importantly, maintaining your car is huge, especially when the winter rolls around. Tire pressure, washer fluid, batteries, automatic locks and having a low gas tank are always problems when it comes to the winter, and being well prepared is a great idea as we head into one of the coldest weeks we’ve had yet.

For one thing, you’ll want to start your car throughout the day and let it run for a bit to keep your battery from dying. You’ll also want to have a full gas tank to avoid freezing — same goes for washer fluids. Also, make sure your tires are full before the cold weather hits.

Of course, this shouldn’t be a problem if your car is housed in a garage, but if it’s outside and vulnerable to the conditions, checking on it, even when you aren’t going to be using it, is a great idea.

In terms of what students can be doing health wise against the weather, using a humidifier in the apartment can help dispel the dry, winter air and using preventative medicines such as Emergen-C will help avoid colds, which typically spread much faster in the winter months and as the seasons change.

The cold weather is going to continue for quite some time now, so it’s important for students to get ahead of the game and understand that it could mean more than just a chilly walk to class.

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