How to Make the Most of the Rochester Winter

Let’s address the elephant in the room, or rather the Yeti… Rochester’s notoriously brutal winter. The mean temperature for the month of November was around 30°F but winter 2018 is slated to start on Friday, December 21. We have already begun to see tons of rainfall and quite a lot of snow, but don’t let any of that stop you from considering a college in the Northeast. Here are four tips for surviving the Rochester winter:

1. Shoes: quality and practicality > stylishness

Yes, those classic UGGs are adorable but are they water proof? Probably not. During the fall/winter seasons in Rochester, whether it be snow or rain, something is always falling out of the sky. It is important to keep your feet warm and dry. While you can insist that your feet are warm, wet socks open you up to a world of pain featuring sores, blisters, rashes, and, worst-case scenario, frostbite. Do yourself a favor and make sure your next shoe purchase is water proof, warm, and comfortable snow boots.

2. A padded/winter-specific jacket

At least one jacket that was made for the winter season is a necessity in your closet. I will be especially helpful if your jacket has a hood so that when you forget your umbrella or hat, you don’t run the risk of getting a cold. In addition to utility, try to find a jacket that is easy to store and travel with. Winter may be a long season here in Rochester, but it does end eventually, so you are going to want to be able to store your jacket with ease.

3. Soup

Clothing is only half of the story. When the winter weather has you down, turn the cold weather into an opportunity to enjoy some warm soup for lunch and/or in between classes. The University of Rochester Dining Services has a ton of options for students to get their soup fix across campus like Connection’s Hale and Hearty Soups, The Pit’s Traditional Rochester Soups which you can also get at Grab-and-Go, and the daily dining hall soups. If you are more of a ramen person then just a 10- to 15-minute walk away from campus to College Town will take you to Taichi, where you can get pork-bone based ramen at a reasonable price.

4. Warm beverages

Another consumable that will make the winter bearable is a warm drink, especially when the holiday season begins. At the University of Rochester Starbucks on the third floor of Wilson Commons, when November comes along and the cold weather, students have the opportunity to try out tons of holiday and winter-inspired drinks. With the number of options and customizable options, everyone finds their winter go-to drink. In addition to Starbucks, the River campus also has Connections which serves great, warm apple cider and hot chocolate. In Wegman’s Hall on the engineering quad is Peet’s Coffee Shop where students can also pick up something warm to go.

Whether you decide to attend the University of Rochester or any other institution, I wish you the best in all of your future endeavors. Stay warm and safe wherever you are!