Column: Get used to being cold

10/22/08 - Ah, New England. There are some things people like about this section of the United States: lobster, beaches, clam chowder, Del's (if you're from Rhode Island), the Red Sox .
There are also some things people hate. One is the annoying Boston (or Cranston) accent, and the other is the weather, specifically the winter weather. Snow. Ice. Hail. Getting up 20 minutes early to dig your car out of the driveway, or if you're like me, getting it stuck in the parking lot of the Terrace Apartments and calling your best friend to come help you move it (Thanks, Sam!).
So what should one do to prepare for the oncoming season that Mother Nature has cursed us with?1. Buy rain boots.
Durable, heavy rain boots are essential for surviving a New England winter. I really could care less if it matches every outfit you own - buy two pairs, if need be. The key place to get fun patterns is Target. But make sure to go online, because they don't sell as many designs in the store. While you're at it, make sure to get some diesel snow boots as well. And please, make sure they're not Uggs.

2. Stick a shovel in your trunk.
It doesn't have to be a huge, heavy-duty shovel that you can barely lift, but a shovel is important for days like mine when you have to dig your car out of a parking spot. There's no cover from the weather on this campus, so if you park here and it starts snowing in class, that's too damn bad.

3. Put some snow tires on your car.
Do I really need to explain? College kids are notorious for speeding; we might as well try and reduce the risk we're all taking by idiotically cruising around this campus like it's a freaking racetrack. The ever-reliable Google tells me snow tires are between $60 and $130. In my opinion, its well worth it if it means you can get to class without getting stuck or skidding on black ice.

4. Get an ice scraper with a brush to rid your car of snow.
Honestly, shouldn't you have one of these in your car already? If you're short, get one with a longer handle so you don't have to twiddle your thumbs waiting for a tall person to help you out with the top of your car. And don't forget the top of your car . you don't want a huge pile of snow landing on your windshield skewing your vision even for a split second.

5. Listen to your mom
Or dad, or grandparents. Whoever it was that annoyed you when you were younger, making you promise you would wear a hat and a scarf and mittens and boots and enough layers to clothe an entire family . And yes, take some vitamins and stop by Health Services for a free flu shot. Keep us all somewhat healthy, I beg you.

6. Don't skip class
There will be some days when you're off-campus, or even on, and you really just can't get to class, or you're sick as a dog because you didn't listen to your parents' warnings (or mine!). Most classes come with an attendance policy that allows three unexcused absences. Please, check your syllabus before yelling at me if you get extra points off. Point being, save up those sick days, because the winter is when you're really going to need 'em.

7. Invest in some hot cocoa
If you didn't listen to any of my previous advice, you're pretty much screwed for winter. So you might as well get some Swiss-Miss and those big marshmallows for a long winter night, since you're gonna be stuck at home for most of it!

And lastly . just get used to being cold. No matter how much you moan and groan, the weather is not going away. Happy snow days!