Every season has its pros and cons, but winter brings a set of inconveniences that can be especially difficult to manage, and I think snow is one of the biggest factors. While a snowy day can look peaceful from the inside and can create opportunities for winter activities, dealing with it day-to-day is a different experience, especially for students with busy schedules.

Morning routines become much more time-consuming when snow is involved. On a regular school day, getting ready and leaving on time is manageable, but snow adds several extra steps. Clearing off my car is one of the tasks that I dread the most during winter. Scraping ice from the windshield and brushing snow from the roof isn’t just time-consuming, but it’s also uncomfortable, especially in freezing temperatures. Then, I have to remember to bring gloves or a hat to keep me warm, but I end up forgetting since I’m in a rush. This causes me to already start the day with extra and annoying work.

Driving in snowy conditions adds another layer of difficulty. Roads can be slippery, and traffic often moves more slowly, meaning I have to plan extra time just to get to school safely. Even walking through the parking lot or on sidewalks can be dangerous when ice forms beneath the snow. I’ve found myself being much more careful on winter days so I don’t add another struggle of falling to my day. 

While many people enjoy activities like sledding, skiing or building snowmen, these moments tend to be short-lived when compared to the length of the winter season. After the initial excitement of peppermint mochas and going ice skating,  snow often becomes slushy, icy or dirty, which makes it less enjoyable to be around. It can stick around for weeks, and by that point, it feels more like an obstacle than something to enjoy.

Another challenge is the fact that it gets colder after it snows. Running errands and going places is more of a chore in the winter since I always have to account for the temperature and if it has snowed, so I can remember to bring winter accessories like a scarf.

Although snow has its appealing moments, it creates several challenges that make winter harder to deal with. From clearing off cars to dealing with slippery roads and sidewalks, the everyday effects of snow can make the season feel extremely long and more complicated than it needs to be.