The trees are bare, winter is coming. As a resident of Marquette County, and a born Yooper, I know how winters are in the U.P. I believe not all NMU Students have the knowledge to navigate natures frosty wrath. Even upperclassman can learn a thing or two from the following tips.

1. Layer Up

I always hear people complaining about the temperatures, even when we get inside the academic buildings, a simple tip to get around this is to add extra layers. I don’t just mean a winter jacket. If you wear a flannel or sweatshirt, throw a shirt under there. Wear extra socks, or long underwear.

Marquette doesn’t get as cold as other parts of the Upper Peninsula in the winter, but that doesn’t mean that its warm. I’ve seen hunters wear no winter jacket, but wear three layers and be perfectly fine in a blizzard. You don’t have to go that far, but wearing more layers can keep you toasty when you would rather freeze.

“But won’t I look poofy sir?”

“Its better to keep your fingers than look a bit poofy to your crush in English class.”

2. When you Spin, Keep your Cool

With students coming from all areas of the country to attend NMU, there is  great chance that students aren’t well versed in driving in the winter. It is a very scary thing, and for some, it is best to only drive when you need to. But even when the roads look nice, black ice manages to hide.

When you feel yourself beginning to slide, the immediate reaction is to jerk the wheel to correct your car’s trajectory, hit the gas, or slam on the breaks. Do not do that. Jerking the wheel will lead you to spin worse, as will hitting the gas.

You need to try to remain calm and steer into spin. Eventually, the car will catch on something and it will be okay. It is very scary, but the majority of the time it will be okay… though you may need to be pulled out of the ditch.

“How do you keep calm when that happens sir?”

“I spun out eight times last year alone, I am used to it.”

“Wow you must be so brave!”

“I am just a bad driver.”

3. Prepare

Crazy things happen in winter: going into the ditch, losing power, getting snowed in, getting plowed in, arctic winds, slipping and the list goes on. It pays to be prepared, especially in the winter.

For those in the dorms, you don’t need to worry too much, but those off campus do need to worry a bit more. I always recommend carrying a shovel, cat litter and something to keep warm in your car. One time I spun out into a ditch on Thanksgiving and had to walk a mile to get service to call a tow truck. I wish I had gloves and a hat but didn’t. Because of that, I always do now.

The shovel and cat litter are to help get you unstuck when you lose traction. You get around this by pouring cat litter/sand around the wheels, then turn the wheels and try to go into the added traction material. It has helped me more than once.

“Those are some great tips.”

“I know.”

4. Try to Enjoy it

Upper Peninsula winter gets a bad rep by those unfamiliar with it. It is the most beautiful season of the year. When the cloud clothed moon hangs over the snow covered trees, and the wind softly whistles past making the only noise across the soft pillows of snow. It is phenomenal, and it needs to be enjoyed. Not to mention the fun fall winter events: dogsled races, outhouse races, ice caves, winter fairs and much more. So go out and enjoy it, before being cooped up drives you crazy.

“Sir, pardon my language, but what the hell is an outhouse race?”

“You race an outhouse, duh.”

5. Get Cozy

There will come a point when you will get snowed in, it will be negative 20 or less, or other inclement weather will be coming and cannot be prevented. You will be trapped in your apartment or dorm.

Get that hot chocolate brewing, fuzzy blanket ready, put on “A Charlie Brown Christmas” and get cozy. It is best to have things to do when this happens, rather then go crazy from boredom.

“Sir, whats your favorite Christmas movie to put on? Mine is Die Hard.”

“I hope Willy eats you.”