All the snow that has been dumped on Troy over the last month has led a small few like myself to rejoice, but most of the campus wishes for springtime and warm, sunny days. Everyone who chose to go to RPI knew that snow was part of the deal when they decided to come here. The Northeast has a very unique climate in that the summers are sweltering hot and the winters are bitter cold. There will be plenty of time in the spring and fall to enjoy green grass and picnics. By trying a few new things you can enjoy the winter just as much.
Instead of locking yourself inside your apartment or dorm room go out and enjoy the snow! Unfortunately, it won’t last for too much longer. You don’t need to ski or snowboard to enjoy the season. Just because you are an adult doesn’t make you too cool for sledding and snowball fights. Still don’t want to brave the cold or get a snow-filled jacket? Try going to the Houston Field House or the Knickerbocker Ice Arena for open skate or open stick hockey if you think you’ve mastered the skating part.
Get out and try something new before the snow is gone. The Ski Club rents skis and snowboards for a very reasonable price and even sponsors trips to small local mountains and larger mountains in Vermont. Ski Club also provides lessons for a small price that can be added to their Friday night program (you’ll even be back in time to go out afterwards). Find more information about the Ski Club’s programs on their website, http://ski-club.union.rpi.edu/.
You only have four years here and many students may not live in a cold climate again if they get jobs in places like Southern California. Make the most of your time here by experiencing everything that the region, not just RPI, has to offer, even if your first winter in the Northeast may seem cold, gray, and overall just depressing. With the right outlook you may just start wishing for the next snowfall, even if it is still June. By comparison to others, this has been a very mild winter; it could have been much worse (or from my point of view, much better).
