Big Red winter wisdom ❄️

Tips and tricks for navigating a blustery, frigid campus.

Sindhuja Vaddeboina ’24

As an international student from a country with sunny weather, the cloudy weather in Ithaca was the difficult part to get adjusted to. I think using a therapy lamp regularly over the winter months really helped me. I would suggest being mindful of your mental health; having regular social interactions and being involved in activities that are important to you definitely helps.”

Michael Oak ’07

Winter on the Hill can be a grind. It’s dark, it’s cold, you’re away from family, and some classes will test you. Don’t pretend it’s fine, just have a plan. What helped me most was routine: decent bedtime, up early enough for a real shower and breakfast, and honestly a therapy light can make a difference. Dress in layers, wear real boots, and give yourself extra time. That crisp air that stings the inside of your nose is no joke. And don’t skip the small Cornell winter moments: a snowy walk across campus at night, warming up in a library or café with a hot drink, and letting the quiet of Ithaca winter work for you instead of against you.”

Tim Dewhurst ’80

Dress for the return trip down the hill, not the trip up the hill. Leaving west campus on a cold winter morning, the wind is at your back and you're working hard climbing the hill, so cold is not a problem. Returning to your dorm, you're going down hill, the wind is in your face, it's leaking in through your zipper, and you're not working as hard. It is so much colder going back to your dorm.”

Dave Bowen ’76

Buy new hiking boots each year—you’ll need ‘em!”

Neil Best ’82

Walk down Libe Slope backward when it is icy.”

Lucrezia Herman ’78

Advice? Buy crampons!”

Alan Young JD ’78

Buy cross country skis as a backup. I still have a vivid memory of a super blizzard of a snowstorm that hit Ithaca the afternoon before the next day’s final exam for Commercial Law. My study mate and I spent several days reviewing intensely to get ready, and I swore I would walk in from our apartment at Gaslight Village if the roads were not cleared for cars. I think I even put chains on our Pinto station wagon just to be sure I could avoid having to review those endless notes, cases, and statutes all over again. Whew!”

David Kim ’23

Cornell Tech winter comes with two things: East River wind and unexpected clarity. Layer up, show up, and take short walks with people you like, some of the best ideas happen between buildings, not behind a screen.”

Yutong Jia ’20

Please be extra careful on stairs, especially in the days leading up to an exam week! In the winter of 2019, on the Saturday evening before exam week, I was walking to a dining hall when it had just started snowing. I didn’t realize there was a thin layer of ice on the steps and slipped, landing straight on the steps—along with several other students behind me, who also fell one after another. My back hurt for half a year after that, and I ended up going through the most painful (literally LOL) exam week.”

Ross Love ’75

All undergrads should go to a Big Red hockey game and walk back to your residence hall while it is snowing (even better if you do it with a significant other). Winter is a magic time on the Hill.”

Jim Irish ’74

If you rent an apartment off campus, make sure there is heat in every bedroom. We had a great apartment for two academic years (fall 1971–spring 1973). Unfortunately, one of the bedrooms had been added onto the main house and did not have heat. This is one reason you should consider bringing a warm sleeping bag to Ithaca. Spending a few nights under the stars in the wonderful, nearby, parks before you graduate is, of course, another.”

Victor Carfi ’80

No matter how tempting, don't linger on the warm steam emanating from a manhole cover. Your entire wardrobe will turn to ice the second you step off.”

More wise words ❤️