Tips for Out-of-State Students Inconvenienced by Southern Weather

For out-of- state students, leaving home and going away to school is a big deal. You are finally out of the
house and on your own, you do not really have to answer to anyone, and you are essentially free to do what you want. As long as you stay in class and do your work, that is.
I know that as an out-of- state student, it is easy to be so focused on getting out of the house and being free, that you sometimes forget that you are physically moving to another state and have to live there. While I was aware that I would be in a new environment, I wasso caught up in everything else that the one thing that I really was not prepared for was the weather.
Paying attention to the weather is so important because it can really have either a positive or negative impact on your day. It can also affect any plans you have, future events that you might be planning, etc. The weather can for sure make or break your outfit if you do not plan accordingly. Out-of- state students, especially here in Baton Rouge, should really pay attention to the weather so you can really get used to that aspect of your new environment. And also because Baton Rouge can never decide if it wants to be sunny or if the sky wants to fall.
Again, I quickly learned how unpredictable Baton Rouge weather is and how it is not always what it says it is or will be. There might be a few days where the weather is good and consistent, but please do not get comfortable because its getting ready to act up all over again. Which is why it is important to be prepared, not only so you do not get caught off guard, but also to help make transitioning to a new place easier.
It is an absolute must that you have an umbrella, and an even bigger must that you keep that umbrella with you, always. Even if it is not supposed to rain, it is good to keep one with you just in case. You can have a big one with wind flaps, or a little personal one; an umbrella is an umbrella. There will eventually be a time when it randomly storms, and your umbrella will save your life and your backpack.
Along with the umbrella, rain boots are your best friend. This campus floods really bad and really fast in various places throughout campus. The last thing you want to do is step into a puddle that comes up to your ankle to ruin your shoes and soak your feet. Soaking wet feet is not the move.
Since it is going to be hot for a good minute, you should consider taking a water bottle and maybe a small hand towel on your walk to class. Walking from the back of campus, or anywhere on campus really, is a task in Louisiana’s humid heat, so you want to try to stay hydrated and cool.
Leaving from under your parents’ wing can be a fun adventure and a learning experience, but being caught in mini hurricanes is not, so always make sure to stay ready for Baton Rouge weather.