Why Michigan winters are actually awesome

A few things to remember while you’re dreaming of that spring break trip to Cabo.

For most colleges, the period of study between January and April is known as spring semester. For Michigan students, however, the term “winter semester” more accurately encompasses the blistering winds and subzero temperatures we face each year. But it’s not all gloom and grey skies! Here are a few reasons why Umich winters are seriously underrated:

It’s so beautiful

Ok, yes, your fingers are numb and you’ve had bronchitis since early November. But have you seen the law quad after a fresh snowfall? It looks like a scene from Christmastime at Hogwarts, and no amount of warm weather can compete with that.

The sports are awesome

Sure, you can’t exactly tailgate in the middle of February, but basketball and hockey season come full swing in the winter, making it a little easier to survive the arctic temperatures.

There’s a lot to do

Sledding down the Arb with a dining hall tray? Ice skating at Yost? Building a snowman in front of your apartment building? The sky’s the limit, and winters at Michigan provide tons of awesome activities. Let’s not forget ski and snowboarding season!

You can relax

Yes, there’s plenty to do outside in the winter. But if you want a break from busy days and late nights out at Skeep’s, winter provides the perfect reason to stay in with a heated blanket and a Netflix subscription. Introverts unite! The near-constant blizzards give anyone an instant excuse to cancel plans.

And let yourself go

I’m not saying you should subsist off of Hot Cheetos and Burgerfi for two months, but if you haven’t hit the gym in a while, it’s no biggie. You’ll be hidden under at least three to five layers until early March.

You might get something done for a change

There’s no room for procrastination when you can barely go outside, and studying gets a whole lot easier when the Ugli is the only thing separating you from subzero temperatures. Umich winter is arguably one of the most productive periods for students, so while your health may suffer, your grades certainly will not.

Two words: snow day

While it’s true that a few years ago Umich got its first snow day since the Nixon administration, they’ve been pretty consistent since then, and odds are we’ll have at least one this winter, along with professors canceling their classes individually. If nothing else, you can at least appreciate Mother Nature giving us a day off once and a while.

Hopefully these points come in handy when you’re sipping on hot chocolate and wondering why you didn’t accept that spot at Miami. Spring will be here before we know it, but until then, enjoy the benefits Michigan winters provide, and stay warm!

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