For Erie natives, the winter is a part of our normal lifestyle. Jokes are constantly flowing about having winter for nine out of the 12 months of the year. This often leads to taking major advantage of the few warm months with seemingly endless things to do outside. However, to those Behrend students who are not from the area, the winters here may seem painfully long and harsh - especially now that winter has been forecasted to last for six more weeks according to Punxsutawney Phil. So how can we learn to love these dark cold days?

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While it can be extremely tempting to hibernate these few months away, let’s face it. We have to trudge across campus from classes day in and day out. Furthermore, we actually have lives outside of school and it is foolish to to believe that these lives don’t involve spending at least a few minutes a day outside.

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Well, one expert has it all mapped out- simply learn to love the situation that you are in. Kari Leibowitz, a wintertime mindset researcher who studied above the Arctic Circle, says that in order to love winter and all of its associated weather that you must channel your inner Norwegian, according to NBC News. Her journey to these higher latitudes allowed her to experience the Polar Night, a time where the sun does not rise once from November to January. While she herself hates the cold weather, she was well aware that Scandinavians were proven to lead happier lives. That being said, she took it upon herself to embark on this journey and find out why this is the case.

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The first key that she suggests, which may not be a surprise, is to accept that winter is a real thing. She shares her experience of living in New Jersey and simply throwing a coat on over her everyday clothes and thus being shocked when her legs would quickly get very cold. She attributes this inconvenience to simply not acknowledging that winter was upon her, according to NBC. When we accept this season, it becomes easier to receive it more willingly. With this comes the importance of dressing appropriately. Yes, we are on a college campus where trendiness is often seen as a major aspect. However, trend might not be at the top of your priorities once you experience some frostbite.

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If you’re lucky enough to have no reason to leave the house for the day, Leibowitz states, try viewing it as something more positive. Look forward to making your favorite meal with your friends or catching up on some much needed binge-watching of Netflix. Catch up on some sleep because, let’s face it- school can be draining. Think about all of the other days where all you want to do is stay home and relax and don’t take advantage of this opportunity.

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In a society where spending at least some time outdoors is inevitable, picking up a winter hobby might be in your best interest. Where there is snow there is skiing and snowboarding - especially in an area with multiple ski resorts. If that’s not your thing there is always tubing, snowshoeing, or simply taking a walk to appreciate the beauty of the season. Besides, wouldn’t coming back inside to cuddle up under a blanket with a hot beverage be much more enjoyable after being out in the cold?