3 Foolproof Ways to Survive a Blacksburg Winter

So, it’s that time of year again…where it burns your eyes to step outside and you’re constantly fearful of being blown over by these blizzard-like winds. Here are a few of our favorite tips to making it through these dangerous Blacksburg winters:

Photo Courtesy of Betsy Knapp

Go ahead and invest in a snow brush.

Let’s face it, no one is going to want to walk or take the bus to class when it involves waiting and walking in 20-degree weather. I made the mistake of thinking that I was strong enough to clear the snow off my car with my hands once. It left me soaking wet, freezing cold, and awkwardly mounting my trunk to get to the top of my car. Learn from my mistakes, people.

Layers, Layers, Layers.

When you’re preparing yourself for the journey to class, to Gucci Kroger, or to your professors’ office to beg for the sake of your grades, let us be the first to advise you that you do not have enough layers on yet. Go ahead and thrown on about four more. It’s perfectly acceptable to wear two sweatshirts, a snow jacket, seven pairs of socks, and ski pants. We won’t judge you and, in fact, will probably be a little jealous.

Eat healthier than you normally would.

I know it’s easy to let the dark, cold winter get the best of you, but we are Hokies and we are stronger than that. If you’re one of the unlucky ones, the allusive “Hokie Plague” will probably consume you at some point, leaving you sick. I always try my best to make sure that I am taking extra care of myself during the winter. So, it's probably time to stop indulging in DX so much and eat a vegetable...please.