As we gear up for the Fall semester, I can practically feel the excitement in the air. If you're anything like me, when you shared the news about heading to Michigan with friends and family, the first thing they chimed in with was, "It's cold, you know?"
Well, after surviving my first Michigan winter and living to tell the tale, I can confirm they weren't kidding. It can get cold, seriously cold.
But I feel that there's more to the story than how cold it is. Yes, it's cold, but it's even colder if you’re not prepared physically or mentally. So this is all you need to know about surviving an infamous “Michigan Winter”.
Invest in really good winter gear.
This could mean a really thick puffer jacket (preferably one that gets to your knees) but, if you’re worried about re-wearing the same jacket over, experiment with puffers of different colors, sleeveless puffers, fleece jackets, trench coats, faux-fur, and so on. Extra points if you can get coats in Michigan colours (@umichapparel is an excellent resource for that) because they are perfect for those chilly winter games!
It also really helps to have a thick outer layer jacket that you can take off once you get indoors (because central indoor heating keeps inside buildings warm enough!). I would also recommend starting to purchase winter gear off-season (in fall/summer)! Brands like H&M or Canada Goose (or even Amazon) might suit you or, if you’re on a little bit of a budget, thrift shops like Salvation Army and Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop have great choices too.
On really chilly days, you would need more accessories to really cover up. I would suggest exploring additions to your wardrobe, like a cozy wool scarf, thick matching socks, a snug beanie, gloves/ mittens, and so on. I realized my ears get pretty cold, so if you’re anything like me, I would recommend a set of ear warmers (or headphones, that way you can play music and keep warm too!). So pro tip: figure out which body part feels the cold most and cover it!
Add inner layers
A big tip to add clothes beneath your tops/ pants for extra warmth. I had an Under Armour top that I wore under my shirt to protect my chest and a thin pair of joggers that I wore under my jeans for an added buffer. These did wonders in keeping me warm in places that my puffers could not reach.
I also think a very underrated tip is to wear thick winter socks that go up to your shins. I discovered that while my feet are snug (thanks to socks and shoes), my shins will feel really exposed. So it really helps to cover them to keep them warm. Leg warmers could also come in really handy with that.
Snow boots, snow boots, snow boots
I'll say it thrice – snow boots are your winter warriors. Find a warm, comfy pair of boots which, write this down, are slip/waterproof. The roads/paths can get really icy and really slippery so slip-proof snow boots are such a crucial factor!
Keep in mind, if you opt out of snow boots, you would have to rely on your regular sneakers or tennis shoes (and those can really wear down over time). To preserve your footwear, investing in a pair of boots is a wise move – it'll keep you from wearing them too much, too quickly.
Keeping active!
Just because we’ll be indoors more, doesn’t mean you need to be bored the whole time. You can still explore new sports: ice skating, sledding, or snowboarding in the winter! Yost Ice Rink offers discounted ice skating for students, and the city of Detroit also has quite a few fun winter activities! I also hear that Lake Michigan, when covered in a layer of fresh snow, is ridiculously photogenic so that could be something you could check out!
You can also keep moving by going to the gym! There are many places on campus to keep fit, like the North Campus recreation building (NCRB), the Intramural Sports Building (IM), or the Palmer Field Temporary Facility. These recreational centers are also a great way to play sports like basketball, racquetball, volleyball, yoga, and even swimming (because the indoor pools are heated). The NCRB also has a great sauna, offering a sweet escape from the cold!
Winter is also a great time to try new activities like board games, decorating/redecorating, cleaning, organizing for the new semester, making snow angels or snowmen, putting up pretty holiday lights, etc. Some Michigan buildings have lovely fireplaces like the Trotter Multicultural Center or Chrysler Center on North Campus, where you can bundle up, sip a coffee, and read a book! This isn't just about surviving winter; it's about thriving in it!
Seasonal depression is real!
In wintertime, Michigan only gets about 9 hours of sun on average. That means the sun comes up at 8 am and goes down pretty early, around 5 pm! This might not be a big deal if you're used to places near the Equator, but remember, in summer, the sun rises at 6 am and hangs out until 9 pm. That's a pretty big shift in daylight hours!
So, for people who are not used to such drastic seasonal changes (I know I wasn’t when I first got here), the lack of sunlight can really take a toll on your mood and mental health! I personally found CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) to be a great resource, helping me come to terms with what I was feeling. And I know a lot of you may be thinking, this sounds a little crazy (how can fewer hours of sunlight have such an effect on someone’s mood?). Trust me, I thought it was a little dramatic too until I lived it, and let me tell you, it is not worth going through!
Some personal things that helped me get through the season was a sun lamp (they can be found in the CAPS area in the Union and Pierpoint but you can also buy it off Amazon). Specific medications like melatonin, vitamin D and vitamin B complex, also helped me with the reduced sunlight. Moisturizer & Chapstick (Burt's Bees is a personal fav) is also very important, because even though it might not be that sunny, it also gets very dry, so your skin and lips would need that extra protection.
I would recommend, however, speaking to a medical professional before purchasing anything medical.
As we wind down, here's my sixth and final set of tips - a mix of recommendations for when the winter months roll around:
The bus is usually heated during the winter, so you can use it, or stay indoors to keep warm. Know when buildings close though so you don't get locked outside when you really need to warm up.
Heated buses during winter are such a neglected plus! You would not imagine the number of times I took a bus ride just to warm up! Sticking indoors is also wise, just remember building hours to avoid chilly lockouts when you need to defrost.
Keep in mind, winter slows things down – buses, walks, the whole gig. You can fight it, or you can be savvy and start your journeys a bit earlier.
If you love tea, for my English, Kenyan, Indian, South African or Turkish peers, this could come in really handy. Bring/buy a nice thermoflask or tea set because a good cup of Roiboos or Kericho tea or a bowl of soup can really work wonders
An electric blanket can also come in very handy, though if you are living in the dorms it is not that necessary because the rooms will be pretty well heated! (sometimes a little too heated)
Wear eye protection when looking at snow in bright sunlight, as you can get snow blindness from light reflecting off its surface.
Buy an umbrella! It's a snowstorm hero (and it comes in handy throughout other seasons too: rain, sunshine, hail…you name it).
And finally… remember to take all these tips, add your own as you go, but above all, enjoy your time in Michigan. Through the summer breeze, the fall leaves, and winter freeze, it is all part of the Michigan experience! So soak it in, while it lasts, and of course, Go Blue!
Written by Ayeyi Asamoah Manu
Summer Orientation Peer Advisor
Undergraduate Student
Ghana, South Africa
