It’s official: winter has come to Toronto. Whether you love or hate the snow, you can’t escape it—so here are some tips on surviving our infamous winter season.

Invest in good cold weather clothes

Let’s face it: you’re here in Toronto for the foreseeable future, so it makes sense to make an investment in good winter clothes. You don’t need to buy the fanciest or most expensive brands, but it’s important to buy hardy, effective clothes that will last you through the entire season and hopefully future winters as well. As you have a warm, durable, waterproof winter jacket, boots, gloves, and a hat, you’ll be fine. If you’re more sensitive to the cold or you plan to spend a lot of time in the snow, you can also think about additional clothing articles like scarves and snowpants. All of your clothes should be waterproof (especially your boots—soggy socks are the worst!), and wind-proof jackets are always a good idea. In addition, make sure to layer. Jeans aren’t enough to keep your legs warm! It’s good practice in particular to wear thermal bottoms: underwear, leggings, pants, and socks. Staying dry is key to staying warm.

Beware of the ice

You might be intimidated by the snow and the wind, but ice is your true enemy here in Toronto and especially on campus, which, on occasion, turns into the city’s largest ice skating rink. Watch out for black ice, ice hidden under snow, campus sidewalks, andstairs in general. Last year the sidewalk in front of Innis was especially bad—I had my first public full-on wipeout there, which thankfully didn’t end in serious injury, but did end in serious embarrassment. Wear shoes or boots with good ankle support and good grip. Remember to try to “walk like a penguin” while navigating icy surfaces. Take short, slow, shuffling steps, and keep your centre of gravity low. It might look silly, but it can save you from a serious tumble. And who doesn’t love penguins?

Watch out for the wind chill

When it comes down to it, Toronto’s temperatures aren’t that bad. Just like humidity in the summer, it’s wind chill that’s the real killer. Make sure to account for wind chill when you’re assessing the weather for the day and dressing up. It may surprise you!

Be aware of cold weather days

While it’s cold more often than not during Toronto winters, we have several days a year where the weather becomes downright dangerous as opposed to unpleasant. Generally, an extreme cold weather warning will be put into place by the city. These alerts can affect school hours and transit, and tend to activate services for the city’s most vulnerable, such as warming centres. On these days, it’s advised to spend as little time outside as possible. If you are required to be outside, make sure you cover up: at these temperatures, frostbite can develop on exposed skin within minutes. It’s most common on toes and fingers, noses, chins and cheeks, so wear gloves, scarves, and thick socks. Make sure to layer properly (wear a sweater under your coat!) because frostbite can occur even on covered skin if your clothes aren’t thick enough to protect you properly. Watch out for any metal in contact with your skin, such as glasses or necklaces, as that can also hasten frostbite.

Plan your commutes and travel carefully

Commuting in the winter months can be a nightmare. Delays, closures, crashes—you would think Toronto drivers would eventually learn to cope with the snow and ice that comes around every year, but no dice. Take extra care in planning your commutes. Leave earlier to account for the inevitable delays, particularly when exams roll around, and keep an eye on the weather. Don’t count on official snow days (the university is notoriously fickle with them, as we all know), but don’t compromise your safety in bad weather conditions. If you’re like me and you still do plenty of walking and biking in the winter, make sure to remain extra alert: with ice on the roads, don’t trust cars to stop on time as you cross roads. Likewise, drive carefully if you have your own vehicle; Toronto experiences a significant increase of car accidents in the winter months when everyone on the roads collectively loses their minds.

Prioritize your mental health

It’s not uncommon for students to suffer from seasonal affective disorder as the weather takes a turn for the worse. International or out-of-town students accustomed to warmer temperatures might be hit especially hard. It’s important to remember to remain active, eat well, and make certain you are getting enough Vitamin D by taking Vitamin D pills, or try the light therapy lamps in Robarts, which simulate spring and summer light levels. Remember to prioritize self-care and seek help when you need it. Don’t just brush it off as “winter blues”. If your mental health is suffering significantly, don’t be afraid to book an appointment to see a doctor or mental health specialist. Look after yourself this winter!

Editor’s note: you can access resources by booking an appointment with Innis’ mental health counselor through the Registrar’s office, or drop in on a free therapy session offered by organizations such as Stella’s Place and Skylark.

Don’t be too afraid and try to enjoy the season

Though our winters can be long and harsh, I often find out-of-towners’ concerns to be overblown. I’ve had to reassure various people that, no, we are not experiencing a mini Ice Age here in Toronto. There are only a few days a year where our temperatures become truly risky; the rest of the time you’ll be fine as long as you dress relatively warmly and remain smart and alert. You’ll get used to Toronto weather and all its intricacies in no time. Our winters can be quite lengthy—we had an unfortunately early start this year with our record-breaking snowfall in November—so for your own sake, try to find things you enjoy about it. Drink hot chocolate, go tobogganing (Christie Pits park is a great spot!), skate in Nathan Phillips Square, or check out the picturesque Christmas Market in the Distillery District. Get yourself into the holiday mood by treating yourself to a seasonal drink, or snuggling up in cozy pajamas and blankets when you study. Our city might be cold in the winter, but it has so many things to offer you, so take advantage of as many nice winter opportunities as you can!