by Cassie Florido

It seems like just yesterday everyone was walking under the beautiful, green trees in the quad in their shorts without a jacket in sight. But the time has come for the green leaves to fade to brown before falling to the cold ground. With everyday that passes the temperature falls just like the leaves. The hardest part of changing seasons is realizing that it is no longer acceptable to wear summer attire to school. It’s time to bundle up and face the frosty, cold weather. It’s time to face the daily battle of the ever so dangerous patches of snow on the ground. But, if you are having a hard time accepting the change here are a few tips to get you through the winter season at the Academy.

The more the merrier

It’s time to bust out those bulky coats that have been stored in the back of your closet. Trust me, you might even want to wear two or three coats on certain days. Those couple of minutes it takes you to walk across the quad could leave you frozen for several class periods if you are not dressed accordingly. Also, as ugly as you may think they are, it’s time to break in those snow boots and Uggs to face the cold and the snow. If you don’t own a pair of leggings, stop whatever you are doing and go buy leggings right now. Leggings will become your best friend this winter season. Nobody enjoys frozen, cold legs. Plus, it gives you a leg up in “No Shave November,” you can go weeks without shaving and no one will ever find out.

Be smarter than the snow

If you think you will win a battle with the snow, you won’t. While snow may look soft and beautiful, it will become your worst nightmare when walking across the quad. You might have been able to survive walking on the seal when it was raining, but snow is on a whole new level. You will fall. It will hurt. People will laugh. So just don’t even try to beat the odds. Chances are you will end up on the cold, snowy ground regretting every decision you just made. The best way to avoid falling and possibly breaking every single bone in your body is to try to walk slow, wear snow boots, and avoid all mysterious patches of snow. You’re welcome in advance.

Be a building hermit

One way to beat the cold is to avoid it all together. Try to avoid switching buildings as much as possible. If you have a free, try and find a classroom that is open in the building you are already in. There is no need to run around campus in the cold when you could stay in the warm, heated buildings. But, when you have to face the cold and cross the quad, refer to step two to survive the short, yet dangerous walk across the quad.

Snow days

Finally, when all of your prayers and snow day rituals pay off and school is cancelled, make the most of your snow days. My preferred activity on snow days is sledding. For those students who put off homework the night before a big snowfall, you should probably spend your snow day actually doing that homework. So when you know there is snow coming, do your homework anyway. Nobody wants to stay inside all day doing homework while their friends are out enjoying the snow.

Winter is one of the most beautiful times of the year. But, if you don’t take these precautions and tips you could quickly find yourself cold, slipping on snow, and wishing it would never be winter again.