Question for those families with kids in colder climate colleges.
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Anonymous
| I went to college in CT and hated it weather and darkness wise |
Anonymous
| Colorado? |
Anonymous
Op here. I was thinking Colorado would be a perfect fit. I remember skiing in 70 degree weather when I lived there for a year on assignment. The weather fluctuated so much. It was kinda cool. To others, it isn't the cold weather so much as being outside and doing things outside. Gettiibg your vitamin D and not getting depressed. So while she prefers cold to heat, it isn't like she is actively outside all winter. I would hope she would be but I guess 70's in Texas or Cali would mean more time to enjoy the school grounds and not have to bundle up every day. The packing must be insane for winter colleges too. But yes, I will let her pick but no she is certainly not used to every day snow. She has lived here her whole life. Winters here are mild compared to some of the places she is looking at |
Anonymous
As the fifth Carlton grad on this thread, I would have to say that we probably have better things to do than post on DCUM. 
That said, cold builds character. |
Anonymous
| Chicago has been great. Despite the reputation for cold, it's an outdoorsy lifestyle. DC is out all winter running and biking around the lake. Spent most of last winter wearing shorts. The restaurant, music and theater scene keep the kids interested in getting out and about town a lot. Far from depressing. I don't think he's used any of the snow gear I supplied him with. Now Boston and New York, they did have seriously bad weather last few years. |
Anonymous
Yup. I am much more likely to voluntarily go outside when it is 10 degrees than when it is north of 90. OP. You are projecting. |
Anonymous
How am I projecting? She plays sports all summer long but that is her choice so she can't hate the heat that much. She rarely goes outside when is is cold, but constantly says she prefers the cold to heat/humidity. I hate heat and humidity too but most schools aren't in high heat/humidity weather during most of the actual college year and since my daughter has a tendency to prefer cold but yet stay indoors, not to be out and about, I am nervous about SAD and not doing much to stimulate her. Both sports she plays are outdoor sports. It was just a question. Just because you prefer 10 degrees to 90 degrees does not mean everyone at cold weather colleges do, or my daughter. I can certainly say my daughter doesn't prefer 10 degrees as it rarely gets that cold here in DC and it snows maybe 1-3 a year which is exciting. But not snow for 4 months straight. I just wanted feedback if it was a positive or negative experience for those that lived in DC all of their lives. |
Anonymous
| I went to Michigan State and the snow never stopped us from socializing on weekends. I loved my college experience. They do a great job shoveling the walkways and roads and it really wasn't a big deal. I do remember one time my freshman year we got a horrific amount of snow and they actually cancelled classes bc they just couldn't get things clear quick enough. |
Anonymous
+1 I lived in Ann Arbor for two years (in my mid-30s), and noticed that there were students out & about no matter the temperature. |
Anonymous
| DH went to school in the NE and had this problem. It got dark earlier, and the cold rainy days started soon after the students arrived in the fall and didn't let up until May. But I think there are differences in northern climates -- this area has a lot of "lake effect" snow or something like that, whereas other northern schools may be just cold with less nasty weather. |
Anonymous
| Size of school, number of students living on campus, that type of thing will be most important. |
Anonymous
|
OP, I'm from Southern California and went to law school in New England. I had a very hard time with the cold --and in retrospect, my issue was also the gray skies. Endless.Gray.Skies. omg.
So, I will mention, that when you say your DD hates the heat...is she talking about east coast muggy heat or all heat? I'm asking because if she can handle perfect weather (Mediterranean), then have her look in Central and Southern California coastal schools, and if she can handle dry heat, then inland CA or AZ etc can work for her as well. Meanwhile, if she goes up north, buy her a Philips Wake-Up Light as a minimum, and perhaps a Light Box to deal with SAD. |
Anonymous
Because your daughter says she wants cold weather, and you respond with a language that sounds more like you are the one who has the strong opinions. If you aren't projecting, why is it that you won't trust her words? And what's so bad about 4 months straight of snow on the ground? First off, few cities in America are cold enough so that once the snow hits the ground it doesn't melt until spring (it evaporates, by the way). Second, so she gives it a try? Third, in those really cold places, your feet are never wet so when you go inside you warm quickly. |
Anonymous
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I find that it's the short, gray winter days more than the cold. So if you're THAT worried, check into the number of sunny/cloudy days, not the temp. For example, Minnesota is probably colder but brighter than Boston.
In cold climates, people know how to dress to enjoy the outdoors, and newcomers catch on. |
Anonymous
| How about the Pacific Northwest? |