New York City’s Four Seasons: Being Prepared as an NYU Student

• Sweater weather. I am sure you know The Neighbourhood’s popular song. If you don’t, catch up! Sweater weather is real. It almost feels like it’s a competition to determine who has the cutest, comfiest sweater on the streets of New York City. I definitely recommend acquiring a few of these. They will be the stars of your wardrobe this season.
• An umbrella is ESSENTIAL. I was without a doubt that person who put off buying an umbrella for a while. I soon realized there is no way I can survive living in New York City without one. When it rains, very often, it pours. And you do not want to be stuck without protection on the long blocks of New York City.
• Don’t put your summer clothes away just yet. Come September 1, you may think it is time to put on a jacket. Well…that’s not always the case. It tends to be quite warm for a while until the leaves start falling. So it’s important that you still have some of those light T-shirts and shorts around.

• Warm coat. I cannot stress how underestimated GOOD winter coats are. If you are well-equipped, you can without a doubt roam the streets of New York City worry free.
• Snow boots. Snow can be a big deal in the city. Especially when New York City public transit largely involves walking from place to place. It is essential to have the proper attire and shoe gear to get where you need to be, preferably safely and not shivering because of your waterproof boots.
• Hat and gloves. Trust me, you’ll need them. Maybe you can relate. When I was a little kid, I often disagreed with my parents about wearing my hat and gloves. (I didn’t want to do it.) Living in New York City, in the winter, finally allowed me to understand where they were coming from…and, more importantly, appreciate and truly value these two necessities.
• Warm drinks! Turn a treat into a necessity :). I mean who wouldn’t want to blame spending that extra buck on a treat on the weather? Hot chocolate, apple cider, and tea are my go-tos when I feel completely defeated by the low temperatures outside.
• Nourishing warm meals. Soups, stews, and warm meals are definitely my lifesavers in the winter. Fun fact: When you don’t eat well, you tend to feel colder!

For more advice on winter in New York City, read “How to Survive Your First NYC Winter!” by a recently graduated Admissions Ambassador.

• Don’t put your winter clothes away just yet. Like fall, this season might prove to be deceitful. Thus, it is crucial you have a wide range of clothing for the various possible conditions.
• Always have a hoodie nearby (something to cover up with when spring gets shy). You never know when you can get chilly. The days may become warmer and warmer, however, as soon as that sun sets, you better be prepared for a drop in temperature!
• Rain comes unexpectedly so have that umbrella in your back pocket (you don’t want to be stuck running to the subway in a heavy downpour). Nothing more to add. I think I already proved to you the unpredictability of precipitation in New York City.
• Eat all the fresh fruit! A lot of fresh and vibrant fruit and vegetables are back in season during the spring. I recommend checking out the various farmers markets spread throughout the city.

• Oh, it still rains. And it rains badly. As if you aren’t tired of me preaching the importance of having an umbrella. I like to think tropical rainfalls happen in the heart of the Big Apple too.
• Humidity…Prior to the eventual downpours, humidity can be high. The air feels warm, both early mornings and late evenings. While the sun is beaming during the day. It’s just something to get used to if you come from a dry climate.
• Stay hydrated. Water becomes your best friend at this time. I recommend having a cute water bottle you love to empty and fill, all day long. If you’re not a fan of plainly tasting H20, putting fresh cut-up fruit or mint in your drink is a great trick. If that still doesn’t satisfy you, I love coconut water (as you can tell by the photo below). Coconut water is a great way to replenish your body in the heat and a source of several healthy nutrients.
• Sun protection: SPF, sunglasses, hats…? You can actually get a tan in New York City. Something that we easily underestimate is the strength of the sun here. Don’t have the chance to tan on the beach this summer? Don’t fret. This is the season in New York City to get some sun. That being said, it is important you take precautions. Use an SPF lotion (some even say we should use sun protection all year!) as well as a hat or sunglasses when you know you will spend a decent amount of time outside, without shade.

Moreover, I perceive the sometimes drastically changing and unpredictable weather to be something that keeps every day upbeat and keeps me motivated. The frigid winter time really allows us to not take the sunny summer season for granted, and vice versa!

As long as you prepare for what’s to come and remain present in each moment, enjoying the surroundings, you will never interpret the seasonality of New York City as something to fear or overthink.