Are you a college student wondering what you might need during winter? No matter where you are, the winter season brings colder temperatures, shorter days, longer nights, and a variety of challenges that can affect your academic life. To help with those challenges, we’ve compiled a list of ten items that we hope will make your college life more comfortable this winter.
Whether you live at home or on campus, we think this list will be helpful! This article is not sponsored, and we’ll do our best not to promote specific brands.
1. Heated blanket
Depending on your housing (particularly if you live on campus), the heating system in your home might not be adequate. Many campus apartments still rely on old heating systems like radiators, which can sometimes take hours to warm a room. Furthermore, if you have roommates, not everyone might agree on what the best temperature is. Having a heated blanket bypasses all that and lets you study and sleep in warmth and comfort.
2. Cold / Allergy Medicine
College provides the perfect environment for germs and viruses to spread. This is due to large numbers of people being in close proximity for extended periods of time, such as in classrooms. Sometimes, you don’t have the choice to stay away because it could be your roommate who’s sick or a classmate might show up to class while sick.
According to the CDC, the flu season usually occurs during fall and winter, and flu cases usually peak between December and February. Getting your flu shot will reduce your chance of getting the flu, but it’s always a good idea to have medications on hand!
3. Insulated flask
A must have item for coffee and tea drinkers, having an insulated flask lets you keep your beverages hot for hours. An Insulated flask also gives you an easy way to enjoy a warm drink while in class or at the library. Oftentimes classrooms are not heated and some professors like to keep the door open, letting the warm air escape. Having a warm drink with you in class can make a huge difference.
4. Humidifier
Winter air tends to be dry as it holds less moisture than warm air. Dorm heaters can make the dry air even worse. Dry air can irritate your eyes, cause a sore throat, affect skin, and even lead to nose bleeding according to Healthline. Having a humidifier in your room can add moisture to the air and prevent discomfort caused by dry air.
One student left this review on a humidifier they bought online, “In the often dry environment of college dorms, it’s been a breath of fresh air, quite literally.”
5. Hand warmer
A little-known but very useful invention that can be found in sporting goods stores and outdoors sections of retail stores. Hand warmers are small single-use packets that when opened, start radiating heat via a chemical reaction with the air. Super helpful for keeping your hands warm when out in the cold. They can also be placed in your shoes to warm your feet. Classic hand warmers are single use, but rechargeable versions can also be found online.
6. Blue books & scantrons
Tests don’t stop in the winter. Students often procrastinate on getting test materials until it’s too late. Grab a few blue books and scantrons so you don’t have to go out of your way at the last minute. You’ll thank yourself later!
7. Vitamin D
Our bodies create vitamin D through direct sunlight from outdoors. According to the NHS, our bodies don’t make enough Vitamin D between October and March, and therefore it’s recommended that people “consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter.” Vitamin D helps regulate calcium and keep bones and muscles healthy.
8. Microwave meals
Whether it’s ramen noodles, mac and cheese, or mashed potatoes, microwave meals are very convenient when you’re not in the mood to cook or if you’re too sick. They’re often super cheap and only take a few minutes to prepare, making them really convenient when you have a gap between classes that’s long enough to rest but not long enough to cook something. Plus, no dishes are involved, making the cleanup super fast and easy.
9. Desk lamp
Because of the end of daylight saving time, the sun now sets earlier than we’re used to. In fact, the earliest sunsets of the year occur around the first week of December. A desk lamp is the perfect item if you need light but don’t want to turn on the main lights. Some students also say that the softer lighting of a desk lamp makes studying feel less depressing and more cozy. A desk lamp also adds a nice aesthetic!
10. Warm clothes
Warm clothes are the most essential winter items. It’s hard to focus on the class material when you’re freezing in the lecture hall. It’s also hard to find the motivation to go to class in the first place when it’s cold outside and you don’t have anything warm to wear. Beanies, hoodies, and thick socks are absolutely essential, not only for college but also in general.
Winter is coming up, and so are colder temperatures, shorter days, and sick classmates. We hope the items on this list will help you keep warm and get through this season!
