It’s official — this winter is cursed. Now that the University of Connecticut is facing what seems to be the next ice age, students must grapple with fluctuating temperatures, endless amounts of snow (where did my sidewalks go?) and syllabi and course schedules that are suddenly wildly out of date.
After two overbearing snowstorms and with a possible third on its way, UConn students are left to puzzle out how they’re meant to navigate a campus with a constantly shifting landscape of snow. Unfortunately, there’s no end in sight, so here are a few strategies for the next time campus shuts down (thank you, Punxsutawney Phil).
Keep food close, but don’t overspend
Eagle-eyed students may have noticed a sudden surge in grocery bags around campus. It certainly seems like most people have made the decision to stock up their minifridges before each storm, and while this is an excellent idea, it’s easy to go overboard.
The fact of the matter is, we’re all college students, so it’s always a good idea to keep an eye on the bank account. When buying food, keep in mind that dining halls don’t close during storms. If you’re comfortable walking to the nearest dining hall, or happen to live in the same building as one, there’s no need to make the trip to Price Chopper.
However, it’s important to remember that the Student Union will shut its doors in the event of a storm. Additionally, UConn will cancel late night dining at the Northwest and South dining halls. If you see yourself being busy up until at least 7 p.m. on any given night, then the grocery store might be worth it.
On top of that, don’t rely on third-party delivery apps. Restaurants and fast-food locations will shut themselves down to DoorDash, Instacart, Uber Eats and other apps in the event of a storm. Make sure you plan ahead!
Be wary of sickness
Unfortunately, it also happens to be flu season. I have personally already fallen victim to this year’s intense flu strain, and I can say firsthand that it’s not something I’d wish for anyone.
When navigating this year’s flu season, it’s best to keep an eye out for symptoms. The flu can initially appear to be just a cold in its early stages, but this is also when it tends to be the most contagious. If your friend starts to complain about a cough before your next hangout, it might be time to hit the breaks.
In the event you do catch the flu, it’s always a good idea to head to urgent care or Student Health and Wellness — if you end up getting diagnosed, a doctor’s note can save you some hits to your grade. It’s also a good ideato see if anyone you know is willing to bring you food, as the first few days of the flu will likely make it difficult to walk anywhere.
Catch up on homework
I know, I know, it’s a boring answer, but it’s also a helpful one. We’re currently in week six of classes, which is when things typically start to get harder. Spring break may be here soon, but for now, we’re all in the jungle together.
Given the emptiness of the average snow day at UConn (classes suddenly cancelled, club meetings shuffled away), it can be nice to take the time to relax. However, that emptiness also means the energy usually spent on other things can now be turned to homework and other assignments.
Make a day of it
Ultimately, a snow day is only what you make of it. With four snow days on the record so far, it might be easy to start taking them for granted. Who knows, maybe next year will be the hottest winter on record. There’struly no way to tell.
Catching up on assignments is a good way to spend the time, but it’s not the only option. If you’ve been feeling stressed, overworked or burnt out, now is the time to get some sleep and do whatever matters most to you.
It’s also a good idea to get in contact with a few friends around campus. In my opinion, snow days are best spent shared. So, find some friends and put on a movie, go outside or just sit around and talk. Snow days aren’tforever, but then again, neither is college.