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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Mich chapter.

As I write this, sitting in the 70 degree weather with the sun coming through the trees in the Diag and seemingly the entire student body occupying campus laying on blankets, hanging in hammocks, or seated at picnic tables, I can only think one thing: I survived my first Michigan winter!

For a girl from Virginia, this is a big feat. The sole responses I heard from family and friends after committing to U-M were warnings about the terrifying, snowy, sub-zero weather. I’m not kidding, for Christmas this year, I received four scarves, three pairs of gloves, two hats, and a set of electric hand-warmers–concerned Southerners’ version of the “Twelve Days of Christmas”.

I’ve always been more partial to the cold than the heat, but even I was unprepared for how serious midwestern winter can be. If you’re a prospective U-M student, an incoming first-year student, or a curious outsider, here are my best tips to keep in mind when preparing for living in Ann Arbor through the cold winter months:

Be Prepared to Walk

Okay, so I’ll concede: it does snow in Virginia. Rarely, of course, maybe once or twice a year. Something that would shock my Michigander friends, though, is the fact that we get school off for pretty much anything over an inch–even in college!

That is decidedly not the case here in Ann Arbor. The school has only had four snow days since 1978. Point is, you will be headed to class through snowy, icy weather. Which means you need–yes, need–snow boots. Personally, I wear a random pair that I purchased at a Tractor Supply, but here are a few other options beloved by my friends:

Ugg: I know that Ugg is known for its classic boots that you definitely cannot wear in the snow without a tragedy occurring. However, they have an adorable line of snow and waterproof boots with the classic Ugg lining that are great for the cold weather!
Sorel: I’d never seen this brand of cold weather boots before coming here, but they’re super stylish and durable for the winter weather. They have many different styles, from sporty to girly. They are at the higher priced end of winter weather wear, but throughout the summer they have frequent sales!
Blundstone: These boots are super practical because they can be worn through the fall and spring alongside in the cold winter weather. They are also super classy and basic, so they fit with almost any personal style.

Avoid the Brain Freeze

So, it turns out that thing about losing most of your body heat through your head is a myth. But nonetheless, I do think I underestimated how cold my head could become–I don’t really think I remember ever wearing a hat before coming here. So, when the weather is sub-zero, try out one of these options for a cute hat:

Columbia: Sportswear companies often have the best in terms of cold winter weather wear. I love my hat from Columbia because it’s stylish but keeps me super warm!
M Den: If you’re a new Michigan student, you probably are yearning for merchandise. When I first came here, I was surprised by how much merch people really wear on a daily basis, especially in winter, when many people have themed winter weather wear from the M Den, our campus merch spot. These hats are super cute and totally fit in on campus!

Scarves Aren’t Just a Fashion Statement

Here’s something I was out of the loop on: scarves! Huge, “blanket” scarves became super stylish this fall, but as the temperature began to drop, I started seeing the practicality of this trend. Scarves can double as a hood for your coat, or can cover your mouth and ears keeping you warmer. They’re also, of course, super cute accessories to a winter outfit. Here are my favorite places to buy scarves:

Old Navy: I got my huge blanket scarf from Old Navy–they have many affordable, cute options. You can also mix and match your scarf with various hats and gloves they have that match!
Lulus: Lulus also has great options for this type of look! Overall, you can find these types of scarves at every store these days, and pick the one that suits your look best!

Put Your Phone Down

About the aforementioned three pairs of gloves… Personally, I’m a staunch defender of just putting your hands in your pockets. Of course, this keeps you from changing your music or texting your bestie while walking to class, but I would take the extra cash spent on a pair of gloves and put it towards a good coat–which of course is a staple for winter, especially here in Ann Arbor. These are the coats that my friends and I wear:

North Face: North Face is a classic supplier of warm coats to Michigan students–all over campus I see students wearing these jackets. They have a lot of color options, and are super durable in the rain and snow.
Old Navy: I swear by my Old Navy puffer–it was affordable and looks great! I see other girls on campus wearing the same thing, too, but they have a ton of colors if you want to stand out!
Columbia: LL Bean also has tons of stylish options for coats that come in an array of colors. These jackets are super durable and can be worn in many different climates!

Turn Up the Heat

Our dorms all have heat–there’s no shame in turning it up! Be warned, though, cold weather combined with central heating can seriously suck the moisture out of your skin. The best way to combat this? Moisturizer! Some of my personal favorites are:

EOS: Yes, the egg chapstick brand–they recently released a couple different scents of their moisturizer which are super moisturizing and smell amazing!
Dove: Dove is a classic brand when it comes to body care. Their lotions come in a great variety of scents and types, and can be purchased at nearly any store walkable from campus in Ann Arbor!

No, It’s Not Over

Alright, not to pull the rug out from under you, but here’s the harsh truth my Michigander besties keep telling me: winter’s not really over. Sure, it’s 70 degrees today, but by next week, it’ll be back to the low thirties. So, to the warm-blooded Southerners, West Coasters, and international students, keep the above tips in mind to stay warm in the Ann Arbor cold!

Author’s Note: Approximately ten days after writing this piece, it snowed again. In March. So I’ll say it again–it’s never over.

Your Out-of-State Survival Guide to Ann Arbor Winter