It seems like winter has gone into full swing as temperatures have dropped below freezing over the past week in Baton Rouge. On Jan. 26, LSU’s campus was closed due to the freezing temperatures. On Tuesday morning, cars were glistening with icy layers and sidewalks had an extra shine about them. How are LSU students feeling about this seasonal chill?
As a Colorado native who sees snow each winter, Ryder Rinow, a sophomore majoring in sports commerce, is not shocked by the weather. He commented on the peculiarity of the weather, comparing it to his home where the cold is anticipated each winter.
“There is a much larger overreaction to winter weather down here than there is in Colorado,” Rinow said. “I came down here for the warmer weather, and over the last two years have had more winter storm days off here than my sisters back home.”
Sophomore Kate Smith, a sociology major from New Orleans, believes the weather last year prepared her for this year and acknowledges LSU’s safety precautions.
“We are a little bit used to it since last year we had the snow, so they are kind of more cautious with the weather to make sure everyone is fine and safe,” Smith said.
Smith was not expecting the snow last year, so she had to get resourceful when it came to winter gear.
“Last year when it snowed, we did not know what to do. I wore a literal rain jacket,” Smith said.
Layne Sherman, a sophomore communication disorders major, appreciated the resourcefulness of students last year during the spontaneous flurry.
“My roommate last year did not have boots to wear in the snow, so she wore her sneakers,” Sherman said.
Back in her home state of Georgia, low temperatures are typical this time of year. Sherman is used to school being canceled due to freeze warnings, and extra days are even built into school calendars in the event of unsafe winter weather. She believes living a bit more north than Baton Rouge has prepared her for surprisingly low temperatures in the South.
“I knew what jacket I was going to pull out from my closet,” Sherman said.
On the other hand, sophomore psychology major and Baton Rouge native Katie Scott believes her wardrobe is less prepared.
“All of my clothes are strictly for when it is hot outside, so I have to pull out some jeans and sweatpants. My wardrobe is very small,” Scott said.
As someone from the South, Scott is also not a fan of the cold temperatures.
“I honestly am not used to the cold since I am from Louisiana. I hate it” she said.
Freshman Daryl Trann, a biology major from Alexandria, likes the way the cold affects her on a day-to-day basis. She believes it eases her daily life, and she likes that it gives her a break from her hectic school schedule.
“I actually really enjoyed it because we got to get out of school,” Trann said. “I like the colder weather because I am not sweating walking to class.”
