7 Tips for Winter Preparations
It’s getting colder, and for those of us in the Durham Global Challenges CDT from more tropical climes, we are feeling the chill clear to our bones. Brace yourselves! Winter isn’t quite here yet but there are a few things that you can do to get ready for it.
1. Make sure that your accommodation has good heating.
Contact your landowner/agency and test the radiator before it gets too cold. Make sure it heats up your room adequately before you make any permanent decisions. Check if your rental agreement allows for space heaters as well if needed.
2. Get an electric under-blanket.
This will be your best friend on a cold night. I would personally recommend investing a bit more in the slightly more expensive fleece version if you are staying for the full duration of winter but just make sure to check out the reviews and online articles on a blanket before you buy. (Tip: Make sure it can be secured properly to the bed, preferably with elastics and not cord. Trust me, I already made that particular mistake.) If this won’t work for your budget, there are blankets and throws on sale at stores like Dunelm as well as the charity shops.
3. Shop for a medium wool type trenchcoat and a heavier winter coat.
You’ll want something lighter as a windbreaker in the fall as well as a nice sturdy and waterproof coat for the gloomier weather. Try the charity shops in early September. If you miss out on the sales from the outgoing students, try Primark in Newcastle for some great deals on winter coats. Stylish AND practical! You might want to try for some zipup fleecy hoodies to go under it or splurge on fleece shirts from Mountain Warehouse while they are on sale. If a minimalist with a bit extra, consider a reversible coat.
4. Get some sturdy and warm boots.
Come the cold, your previously perfectly adequate ankle length footwear is going to be a bit of a pain. Get at least one pair of waterproof, fleece lined, midcalf boots and again, check the reviews before you buy. If you signed up for Amazon Prime later in the year, take advantage of Amazon Wardrobe and the no label printing return service. (Tip: Don’t throw your boxes and receipts immediately after purchase. Test your new stuff and THEN decide.) Don’t forget some nice socks to go along with it.
5. Stay hydrated!!
Keep a small thermos/vacuum flask of tea or ginger water around. It’s easy to lose track of this as it gets colder but make an effort to stay healthy. (Tip: Frozen fruit and pressed/fresh squeezed generic juice make for a great smoothie to take you through the day. And there’s mint hot chocolate in the supermarket!)
6. Spend a bit extra on touchscreen gloves.
It’s okay right now but as it gets colder, you won’t want to take your gloves off to navigate your phone. Trust me on that one, I nearly froze getting lost in Durham this past February because of this.
7. Storage
If you are leaving for the holidays or fieldwork, budget for storage. I’d recommend heavy duty canvas storage bags for bedding and clothing, then clear storage boxes for cookware and stationery. Minimize your stuff where possible. (Tip: See which of your friends is around for the time you are away and ask if they have space to store your stuff for you.)
By Boke Omwega
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
