Minnesota is known for its harsh weather conditions, with temperatures dropping well below zero during the winter months. Stepping outside during February can feel like walking into a freezer. In Minnesota, winter is more than just a season; it’s a lifestyle.
At Benilde-St. Margaret’s, winter becomes an unavoidable factor in students’ daily routines. The cold can cause extra complications from frozen windshields in the morning to icy parking lots after the final bell. When the cold weather starts hitting, transportation issues start to become a major obstacle. It causes many students to show up late for class, engines struggle to turn over in subzero weather, and even reliable vehicles falter when left outside overnight. A few extra minutes spent scraping ice off windshields or waiting for a car to warm up can cause students to start the day off rushing before the tardy bell.
Although some students seem to thrive in frigid temperatures, others prefer warmer weather. Working in a colder environment can increase wakefulness because it requires more energy to regulate body temperature. On the other hand, classrooms that are kept at higher temperatures can leave students feeling sluggish and distracted. It is crucial to have a comfortable temperature in class, as it tends to be more helpful for attention and drive. “I think that I would not benefit from hotter temperatures, because I work better when it’s colder…When it’s too hot, I just sweat, and it’s uncomfortable,” sophomore Joe Kautzman said.
Although the cold weather has been manageable, it does affect BSM students’ winter sports. Minnesota is widely known for hockey, skiing, snowboarding, and other cold-weather activities, but those traditions rely heavily on snowfall and manageable temperatures. Without fresh powder on the hills or frozen lakes thick enough for skating, many traditional winter hobbies have been limited. For students looking forward to skiing, the temperature has been really cold; however, there has been a lack of snowfall. “The weather kind of forces me to stay inside and prevents me from doing things like skiing and other activities I enjoy outdoors,” sophomore Hugh Sanson said.
The changes in students’ behavior can vary due to the weather outside. During the winter, the mood switch is very noticeable, which is partly due to the drastically reduced sunlight hours. Without the natural light, students miss out on critical vitamin C, resulting in feelings of decreased energy and boredom from being stuck inside. Even though Minnesota’s current winter season hasn’t been as snowy, the cold winter conditions still impact people’s mood, and in many cases, interrupt daily activities, thus resulting in less energy and productivity. “In general, when we are stuck in the building all day because of the weather, kids get antsy and wander the halls,” teacher Maureen Miller said.