Sarah Brannigan (B’28) is a sophomore at Georgetown University in the McDonough School of Business. She loves golfing, traveling and Dunkin’ Donuts.
If you search online for pictures of Georgetown’s campus, chances are that you’ll see Healy sparkling in the springtime with cherry blossoms in the background, or Dahlgren Quad in the fall with orange leaves drifting to the ground. What about Georgetown in the winter?
Waking up to flurries falling outside your dorm room window can be beautiful. At the same time, though, winter blues are real. The trek across campus on a chilly DC morning can be tough, especially when the wind spirals through Red Square.
You may be wondering, so how can I beat the winter blues? You are in luck, because I’ve asked some reliable sources across campus for their top tips to do just that!
Get Yourself a Treat
The hardest part of a winter day is honestly getting out of bed. To motivate you to get your head off the pillow, take advantage of the Whisk menu as part of your meal plan. The coffee shop on the top floor of Leo’s Dining Hall has a bunch of options to keep you warm, including a hot caramel macchiato with a mocha cupcake on the side. You also never know who you will see at Whisk, and what is more motivating than running into a friend in the morning?
Staying on theme with sweet treats and warm meals, you can also motivate yourself to get off campus early on in the semester by using your flex dollars at local restaurants. Depending on your meal plan, you receive a certain amount of money that can be spent in the Georgetown neighborhood. Picking up dinner or a sweet treat with friends in the neighborhood is another way to stop the cold from getting to you.
Cheer on the Hoyas
Georgetown students love exploring DC but find it hard to do so during the winter. The best way to beat the winter blues is to keep going by trying new things and getting off campus. Attending a Georgetown basketball game at Capital One Arena is a perfect way to do this. No need to worry about the cold temperatures during your commute into the city because you can simply hop on a student shuttle on campus and have a safe and warm way there and back. Join the student section as they cheer on our Hoyas and enjoy fun snacks, entertainment and so much more.
Keep Moving
It’s also important to stay active during the winter to destress and stay healthy. This semester, I have been taking advantage of group workout classes at Yates Field House. Some of my favorites are morning spin classes and afternoon barre. These classes are free for students, so sign up for however many you want!
Speaking of staying active, joining an intramural sports team is another great way to beat the winter blues. Whether you join with your friends or sign up as a single to join a team, this is the perfect way to destress and have fun while doing it. There is everything from basketball to volleyball and pickleball.
Find a Cozy Spot on Campus
There are also plenty of spots on campus to stay productive and warm at the same time. The new Pierce Reading Room in Lauinger Library is a great spot to get some work done. Just opened last week, the brand new furniture, lighting and aesthetics are a great way to forget about the cold and sometimes gray skies. You can work independently or meet with friends to enjoy this new space!
The first floor of the brand new Henle Hall is another great spot. It has fireplaces and plenty of seating for you to do work with friends. If you finished all your work, there are also large televisions and even pool tables. Another secret spot on campus is the Film Screening Room in the Healy Family Student Center. Watch a movie with friends in theater-style chairs or attend a film screening by the Georgetown Program Board.
Get Involved on Campus
Speaking of the Georgetown Program Board, they plan events so that you don’t have to. With a range of events across campus, there is always something to do. Some upcoming events and past events include the Annual Casino Night, Sundae Sundays and Late Skate. Be sure to look at the Program Board’s social media accounts for updates and more information.
If you don’t want the cold to stop you from exploring the great outdoors, be sure to attend some of Georgetown Outdoor Education’s hikes, trips and climbs. These opportunities are the perfect way to meet new people and explore new places. There is so much natural beauty to see and explore around DC and this organization is the perfect way to tap into that.
The winter blues don’t hit everyone the same way, and that’s totally normal. But even on the coldest days, small habits like moving your body, keeping a routine or treating yourself to something warm can make a big difference. Hopefully these tips help you keep exploring Georgetown and enjoying campus, even in the heart of winter.
