I lived in 4 states cold and warm before settling in SoCal, and I am definitely spoiled. In a few minutes I will grab a leash and take my dog for a walk at 7:30 without putting on a coat even though it is a very chilly 56! (and no, the coast never gets down to 30). I find people spend a lot less time at home and more time out and about, which I love. I am sure I will die here. That being said I have a daughter who has applications out north, south, east and west. I will be interested to see where she lands. She has never lived anywhere but SoCal since she was one year old. She has no real coat, no gloves (had to borrow a pair to go ice skating a few days ago). I actually hopes she ends up in Chicago or Boston. The college years are the one time you have a chance to experience living in a different part of the country, it is a lot harder if you move for a job and buy a home and decided it was a mistake. She is not so sure about the cold, but is open to it. I am more concerned that she makes it home as often as possible, so the delayed and cancelled flights are my biggest concerns.
I’m glad to hear places are taking this extreme cold seriously. I know I walked home in it once back in '85 the last time temps got this cold looking longingly at every porch and front door I saw wondering if I could step inside to get warm. While I made it just fine - as did others in my school - I just don’t see the need to take the chance again. I was also a senior at the time. What about the smaller kids? What if one of them were to stop “just for a minute” and no one saw them? The mom in me shudders.
Once in a generation events don’t need to be handled “same as usual.” It’s ok to take a break.
One thing to keep in mind is how weather can affect travel home…doesn’t have to be deal breaker, but it is something to keep in mind…
^^^ Took my S 3 days to get back to Boston from LA because of the last storm. His original one layover flight was delayed, then changed to 3 layovers, then when he hit Philly cancelled (for TWO days), finally made it to NY but flight was cancelled so he stood in the freezing cold for 30 minutes in front of a bus to make sure he didn’t miss. He is extremely happy to be graduating in May. lol
Travel home is a really good point…having seen JFK look like something like a refugee camp out of a disaster movie after the 2010 Christmas blizzard …I think some people got delayed up to a week.
Plus, as beautiful as snow can be, it does get a bit old after awhile…
My D is in her 4th semester in Ann Arbor, she grew up in Texas. She loves the school so much that the weather does not bother her anymore. Just learn how to dress, and roll with it.
WashU didn’t close during the polar vortex and the kids didn’t seem to have any issues. A lot of parents were complaining on the FB groups though.
@jym626 Yup it was the Powerhouse theater at Vassar when I was there from 1980 to 1984. Seems it still is.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/02/02/burlington-police-university-vermont-student-found-dead-outdoors-in-freezing-weather/2758779002/ This happened over the weekend. The university has suspended a fraternity and there will be an investigation to see if alcohol was involved in the young man’s death.
Adding a long harsh winter, icy roads to navigate, short days, lack of sunlight, weather related depression etc are just unnecessary hurdles for a homesick freshman not used to it. As winter breaks are short, there is no way to avoid dealing with this mess. If you go to hotter areas, not only you get to leave college for 3-4 months on summer break but you get more light, wear lighter clothing and just get don’t have to deal with additional gloom. LOL also you don’t have to buy and haul winter gear.
And if you are in the south, you get to deal with hurricanes!
I think my daughter in Wyoming missed one day of classes due to weather in her 4.5 years there. My daughter in Florida had about 10 days cancelled over the 4 years. She’s no longer in school (still living in FL) but her school has already cancelled classes for tues and wed even though Dorian is turning east.
There are plenty of happy kids from warmer climates at the many many colleges in the northeast. You make it sound like every kid has weather fears, and depression because of short days, cold temps etc. That simply is NOT true.
Navigating icy roads! Say what? Most college students walk to classes…it’s not like they are driving.
I’m sure some like it but some doesn’t so it’s better to consider if it’s worth it to you or not. It’s not a non issue.
No doubt hurricanes, blizzards, tornados, earthquakes, volcanos, floods, droughts, all are bad. However, harsh winters aren’t one off thing, they come every year and stay too long in some areas so be warned, specially for first one. First semester is usually already a stressful time, if cold isn’t your thing, it may become an emotional, physical and academic struggle. Some may love dead winters but you never know until you experience it.
@Riversider - I’ve lived in MN and WI all of my 50 years and it’s not nearly as horrible as you make it sound. In fact, my kid wears shorts year round to school, even in sub-zero weather. He’s a little weird, but plenty are wearing them into November and start up again as soon as it gets in the upper 40’s in the spring. You adapt. A couple of the schools he’s considering have all the halls and dorms connected by skyways and tunnels so you don’t ever have to go outside at all if you don’t want to.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/seasonal-affective-disorder/index.shtml
http://blog.studentcaffe.com/seasonal-affective-disorder-college/
Most of first semester is not Winter.
Do look at statistics for schools with higher stress, depression and higher suicide rates. Also look at lists for colleges with happiest students. Usually schools with harsh winters rank higher among first group and schools from sunny areas rank well among second group.
Obviously there are no absolutes and winter or stress aren’t usually the main cause but they can exacerbate diagnosed or undiagnosed mental health issues.
Well, the first list I pulled up has UCLA at #2 and Emory at #4.
https://humansofuniversity.com/university-life/top-50-colleges-with-the-most-depressed-student-bodies/