You know you’re in Michigan when the weather goes from summer to winter faster than you can say “pumpkin spice latte.”
Coming from a warm country, I can confirm: Holland, Michigan, is cold. When I moved here in August, downtown Holland, with its beach and the beautiful campus, was thriving in green and colorful hues. Fall arrived, and the leaves turned into a stunning palette of reds, oranges, and yellows. But winter?
I forgot to ask what kind of weather to expect, and suddenly, I was in the middle of a snow globe!!!!
But guess what? Winter at Hope College is actually amazing, and here’s how you can thrive, not just survive, during this chilly season.
Tip #1: Find Friends
Hope College feels like a tight-knit community, and finding people who love you and share your hobbies won’t be difficult. If you have your crew, winter feels so much warmer than you think. The warmth of your friends being around you, having coffee, and study sessions in cozy spots like Campus Ministries will help you deal with winter. You’ll start to enjoy the beauty of snowflakes falling and melting.
Imagine this: it’s freezing outside, but inside, you’re surrounded by friends, laughing over hot drinks, and complaining about the cold together. Suddenly, winter doesn’t feel so bad. Plus, when you’ve got people to build snowmen and have snowball fights with, it’s like being in a winter wonderland movie!
Tip #2: Find Your Cozy Spot
There are lots of places on campus for you to decide where to study, depending on your noise tolerance and who you’re studying with. As an extrovert, I love my study spots where I can have 10 minutes of chatting after 90 minutes of focused studying. My favorite spot, with just the right amount of noise, is Campus Ministries. They have hot, delicious free coffee, a heart-warming fireplace, and sweet people.
Speaking of sweet people, we will miss Sandra, who worked at the front desk and always welcomed each student with a beautiful smile. She deeply cared about us, and our little conversations always warmed my heart. Campus Ministries is my go-to for studying math and reading books.
Another great spot is the International Student Lounge on the first floor of Martha Miller. It’s perfect for socializing and writing essays. International students, their friends, and third-culture students come and go, and you never know who you’ll meet next. Just seeing different people inspires you with new ideas and opens your perspective. If you’re looking for a similar experience, check out the student lounge on the first floor of the Bultman Student Center, where faculty and students socialize. I love that place, too.
Having a go-to study place saves you lots of time and makes you feel at home after a day of studying. It helps to change locations depending on your mood and type of homework.
Tip #3: Bring a Huge Winter Jacket
As someone who hates layering clothes, the only reason I’m still waking up for my 8 a.m. class is knowing I won’t even feel a breeze in my long jacket. It’s a lifesaver. Seriously, invest in a good winter jacket, and you’ll thank yourself every cold morning.
Tip #4: Embrace the Seasons
In life, you’ll meet people who hate winter, love summer, or have mixed feelings about both. Choose to be open to everything. I still remember the first day of snow. It snowed at 2 a.m., and a group of students in my hall stayed awake to see it because one of their friends had never seen snow before. Snow is beautiful, just like the warmth of summer. Seeing snowflakes in your hand will amaze you, no matter what.
I also learned to love winter because of hot chocolate. I hated hot chocolate until December. I couldn’t stand it. But my friends taught me to love it. Now, drinking hot chocolate while doing homework feels like a reward.
Just try to love winter; Hope College looks absolutely beautiful in it.
Tip #5: Enjoy the Fun Activities
Don’t forget the epic snowball fights! They turn into the most fun times of winter. The cold winter brings people together because we have something to complain about, drink our hot drinks, and go about our day. But winter at Hope College has so much more to offer.
Now that I see how beautifully and smoothly the seasons change on campus, it amazes me. I describe it to my family all the time and send them pictures and videos of snowy campus scenes. Winter at Hope College is not just about surviving the cold; it’s about finding warmth in community, cozy spots, and the little joys that make the season special.
So, whether it’s building snowmen, drinking hot chocolate, or just hanging out with friends, winter at Hope College is an experience worth embracing. Bundle up, find your people, and make the most of this magical season!