Illustration by Grace Schafer-Perry
When the temperature finally drops and it really feels like winter, it seems like many aspects of our lives change. The weather outside determines what activities we are able to do in our daily routines. There are a range of moods regarding the wintertime from feelings of dread to feelings of excitement.
As the days get shorter, many people find themselves feeling sad and tired. The winter blues can directly be reflected onto a student’s school performance.
“The dark, gloomy environment puts me in a sad mood, and I lose the motivation to do work and sometimes even show up to school,” said Academic Choice (AC) junior Aidan Mattingly-App.
The changing weather on top of the pressure of maintaining good grades and extracurricular activities is challenging for students. Cold, dark early mornings and the dazed and foggy sky around is a direct reflection of the many emotions that come with winter.
As the light goes away faster at night, fashion styles change to fit the dropping temperatures. During the winter, many people have argued that it becomes harder to dress well. Dressing well in Berkeley’s winter weather is a hard task, especially since the mornings are cold and the afternoons usually get warmer.
“Looking fashionable in the winter is a real challenge, I feel like there are no cute winter clothes,” says Berkeley International High School (BIHS) senior Allie Bailey.
Another winter challenge is how to make fun plans with your friends. The outside activities you can do with friends and families decrease during the winter.
When asked what is something they do not enjoy about the wintertime in Berkeley, Jonah Marchant, a sophomore in AC, said, “It’s just that there’s nothing to do when you go out with your friends, especially when its gets really cold out.”
Despite the low temperatures, there is a population of people that embrace the chilly weather and enjoy the benefits of the winter.
“My life becomes more calm in the winter. I feel like the vibe is chill. Winter is an excuse to wear hoodies everyday and not care how you look like without anyone judging you,” says AC junior Ella Wayne.
Although some may not find fashionable outfits in the winter, struggle with the dark mornings, and feel inconvenienced by the rainy weather, winter time has some positive aspects. Winter in Berkeley can be portrayed as relaxing where many enjoy staying home and spending family time inside. There is an unbeatable cozy feeling in winter time, like curling up with hot tea with the rain pouring down outside.