Snowfall in South Carolina happens only a few times a year, and each time it seems like the world is going to end. Stores go from rampage to empty, and the world seems to fall silent.
Students play in the snow, sled down various hills in their DIY sleds, engage in snowball fights and get joyously sick of the snow.
Then, they have to return to their school work.
Snow days have become a thing of the past, a historical mark of age. Now with e-learning and online classes, snow days will turn into: how fast can I get my work done so I can play?
During this past e-learning day, teachers had various lessons, sometimes making no sense in relation to the coursework or having bizarre requirements. E-learning science labs, for example, require students to have or make laboratory materials at home.
We all know that current students are ready to go online in an instant after living through online school during COVID-19. However, some teachers just aren’t prepped for online classes.
Beyond the teachers and coursework, the town itself isn’t ready for snow. Record cold fronts are reported to be moving into North America this year, which doesn’t fare well for southern states that don’t have salt trucks for roads or proper snow materials.
Many people that I know have trouble figuring out the weather around here and how to prepare for it. There aren’t many stores around Clemson to buy cheap jackets or snow gear that are readily available to students.
Can the South ever truly be ready for a snow day? Many northern students or students not from the mountainous southern regions don’t realize what exactly they need to know and bring to college in order to be prepared for the winter.
First, proper medications. You need to be prepared and know what works for you during yo-yo weather variation when everyone gets sick. Tea, cough syrup and cough drops are a great starter kit. Be prepared to have it be compounded by general college illness, such as frat flu, mold or the millions of random sicknesses everyone gets.
Second, appropriate attire. I suggest modular outfits or warm pants; it can be hot during the day but cold at night. The weather also likes to change, evidenced by our 80-degree heat following snow forecasts last week, so get used to having shorts and pants in rotation. Also, a good weather-proof jacket for heavy rain, snow and hail.
Lastly, a good attitude. Unexpected weather is fun because it only happens every so often. You’ll miss the snow and rain during the hot summer days, so sled and jump in a puddle while you can. South Carolina weather can be fun if you’re prepared!
Sarah Bandhauer is a sophomore food science major from Brevard, North Carolina. Sarah can be reached at [email protected].
