Romanticizing the Rest of the Syracuse Winter

Sunnier days ahead.

by WAVERLY BRANNIGAN ★ MARCH 21, 2023

As every student at Syracuse quickly comes to realize, upstate New York winters are no joke. Some people choose to come here because they genuinely love the cold, which is quite impressive, really. From about November to April, Syracuse is coated in layers of snow and ice, or being blasted by freezing wind. On top of this, we are still expected to go to class and carry on with life as usual. This stretch of cold months can start to feel very dreary and monotonous. Luckily, there are many ways to turn cold, gray Syracuse into a ~sort of~ winter wonderland. 

One of the simplest ways to make winter a little more fun here is to build a cute winter wardrobe! It’s unfortunately true that winter coats and puffers are crazy expensive, but when you live in a place like Syracuse for four years, investing in a coat that you love will make going outside in the winter so much better. I decided that I needed a warmer, cool-looking coat for the upcoming winter, so I got the Aritzia Superpuff in the shade “blueprint,” and it’s safe to say I’ve worn it literally every day. Another one of my favorites is the North Face Retro Nuptse Jacket. Picking a cool coat is a way to showcase your personality and elevate any winter outfit. The natural next step to an outfit is accessorizing. This year’s picks have included platform ultra mini Uggs, earmuffs, over-the-ear headphones, and of course, oversized scarves. Even when staying on-trend, choosing a unique color or patterned accessory helps highlight your amazing taste– taking your winter ‘fits to the next level. 

Next, building a gym routine is arguably one of the best ways to fight any seasonal depression you may be feeling. Heading to Barnes a few times a week and doing something as simple as walking on the treadmill or lifting some weights will release some much needed dopamine in your brain. Obviously, it can be so hard to actually make it to the gym when lacking motivation, but there are many ways to exercise in the comfort of your dorm. Find an online program or a YouTuber that you enjoy (my personal favorite is MadFit) and clear a space in your room to do some core workouts. Literally just walking to class can be a workout in the winter. Campus is decently large, and avoiding wiping out on all the ice will definitely get you burning some calories.

This might seem counterintuitive, but spending some time outside in the winter can actually be tons of fun! Get a group of friends together and go sledding down Crouse Hill in the middle of the night. This makes the snow and cold much more fun, and who doesn’t love quality time with friends? You also can’t forget about Syracuse sports and dartying in the middle of February, but getting to a game adds some excitement to a regular day. No matter your experience, consider things like skiing or snowboarding. You can sign up for events through the school, and there are even clubs and teams, like the Outing Club, that do outdoor activities regularly or the Ski Team. If you’re looking for something a little different to add to your winter days, it never hurts to branch out of your comfort zone and try something new.

Lastly, weekend getaways. Need I say more? These can be challenging to plan and coordinate, but definitely achievable if you’re committed. An easy staycation is Skaneateles, a nearby town on one of the finger lakes that is probably the most picturesque, boutique-filled place I’ve seen around this area. Luckily, Skaneateles is a mere 30 minutes away. So, talk to your friends, and if someone has a car, head that way for a day! (Zipcar can be a great option too.) Another exciting destination nearby is Canada. Toronto and Montreal are 4 hours away and Ottawa is 3 hours away, which yes, is far, but would be such a cool experience. A simple trip to downtown Syracuse can even do the trick just by getting off campus and enjoying some good food or shopping.

Incorporating any of these ideas into your Syracuse winters will hopefully be a game changer in helping you through it. But at this point, we’re at the home stretch of cold weather. Fingers crossed that there are some sunny and warm days ahead!