Tufts Blogs

There’s nothing like that first day when you can step outside without layers or a jacket after months of cold, windy winter. If you enjoy warm weather as much as I do, those first rays of sunshine in March are enough to get you through the rest of the semester.

When I first got my acceptance to Tufts, so many people warned me about Boston winters—the snow, the slush, the sleet. I thought, "How bad could it be? Georgia gets cold too, we have our fair share of harsh winters." Experiencing snow in its full form was indeed magical. Sledding down Pres Lawn on plastic storage container covers and chasing my friends with snowballs along ProRow were definitely the highlights of my first Boston winter. But there wasn’t enough magic to stop me from buying a full-sized puffer coat the moment it dropped below 60 degrees in October.

Along with the harsh winters came an even harsher reality— the winter blues. The excitement of summer had worn off, midterms were wrapping up, and finals were just starting. It became too cold for late-night walks, ice cream, and sunbathing. Friends and classmates who used to be around disappeared, retreating into study spaces for warmth and focus. As someone who thrives off social interaction and being out and about, it was a jarring culture shock. I hated the monotony of only going from class building to my dorm to avoid frostbite. Looking back, I wish I could tell my freshman self that this feeling was not the end of the world.

Now, in my third winter in Boston, I’ve learned a few strategies for surviving the winter blues:

1. Leave your dorm. It can be tempting to stay in your warm, familiar space, but falling into the habit of staring at your four walls can make things worse. Switch up your study spots— try the library, one of the diversity centers, or even the Somerville Library or Boston Public Library. Creating a third space is key to breaking up some of the monotony that the season may bring.

2. Join a club, go to events, and drag your friends along. Keeping up with social activities during the winter helps me look forward to something new. I always invite my friends to movie nights, socials, or game nights hosted by different organizations on and off campus. At least if we’re cold, we’re cold together. I have a core memory of getting ready with my friends for an off-campus gala and meeting so many new people with similar interests as mine.

3. If nothing else, take your vitamins, especially vitamin D! It can be easy to neglect your physical health with everything going on in college, but taking daily vitamins became second nature to me, especially as the days grew shorter. I made sure to up my vitamin D intake to fight off that seasonal slump.

I’m still navigating the winter blues, but the most important lesson I’ve learned is to be intentional about not giving in. The winter blues come at the same time every year, so I’ve learned to be proactive in preparing for it. And it helps to remember—it doesn’t last forever; spring is just around the corner!