By Sanjea Taylor, Contributing Writer
After a fun-filled Winter break, many students returned this semester to an unexpected guest on campus: the freezing temperature!
Marking this as the coldest January South Florida has ever experienced in 15 years. This month, the temperature has fallen from the regular 80°F to 35°F, making it hard to even walk outside without the proper protection from the cold.
As 2025 is finally here, a new year of possibilities begins; however, no one expected it to already start with heavy rainfall and a cold front that many students are not accustomed to.
With many students trying to find ways to get through this weather, they might need certain supplies in order to be warm enough to enjoy their new semester. Because of that, here are 5 must-haves students will need to survive the cold.
The first thing students must have to stay warm is a heating system. If you have no form of a heater system, investing in a portable heater is something you should consider.
Just one heater can make an entire room warmer and more comfortable. For students in dorm rooms, having a reliable heat source is crucial, especially during colder months like this one. Portable heaters are reasonably priced and available to students at their local Walmart or Target and other online stores like Amazon.
Another thing all students must make sure they have this semester so they can protect themselves from the cold is a puffer jacket or warm coat. A warm jacket or coat is very useful in weather like this.
Whether it’s walking to classes or running errands around campus, having a good quality coat provides insulation, which traps heat making you warmer, allowing you to enjoy more winter festivities.
In fact, puffer jackets, which are typically filled with either down or synthetic fill that makes you warm, are actually well-known for being incredibly effective at insulation. Students can search for jackets like these when shopping at any clothing store.
The third thing students must have in very cold weather, like the one they are experiencing now, are some warm socks. It may seem silly since socks are regularly part of many students’ everyday wear, but having a pair of warm socks makes a real difference when it’s cold.
Wearing socks to protect your feet will help you from developing circulation or other health problems that can arise from having your feet too cold. These are especially more effective during the nighttime when there is no sun to provide some type of warmth.
The fourth item students need to make sure they are warm during this time is a nice and warm blanket or comforter. Comforters act like a big puffer jacket that covers your whole body. With an insulating inner layer and the same filling materials as the puffer jacket, a comforter is needed during cold nights.
To improve your sleep quality and avoid tossing and turning at night because of the cold, purchasing a good comforter is a great idea. Comforters can also be found in your local Walmart or Target, or be purchased online.
Finally, the fifth must-have thing students need this winter to stay warm is a hot drink. Now is the ideal time to purchase hot chocolate, tea, or coffee on campus because sipping on a hot beverage can be a simple but effective way to stay warm during and in-between classes.
Not only do these hot beverages provide a break from the cold, but they also help regulate body temperature, keeping students warm while going through their day. It also reduces the chances of catching the flu by boosting your immune system.
Autumn Rolle, a sophomore who is majoring in nursing, shared her opinion on these five must-haves students need during this time.
“I’m from the Bahamas so this is definitely an adjustment for me, it’s been hard trying to stay warm,” said Rolle. “With a warm blanket, socks, and more, I have been staying warm and sleeping like a baby.”
With all five must-haves, students can be much more prepared for the cold weather outside and able to stay cozy and healthy, no matter how low the temperature gets.
