Deciding where one wants to go to college is the same as choosing where one wants to live for the next four to five years. It is a decision that should not be taken lightly. It is important to research which school will be the best fit for a student according to what area of interest appeals to him or her. Proximity is a huge factor because students have been known to base their decision on where they want to attend school.
Some students choose a location because it is close to their family. Others may choose a location because there is a considerable amount of distance from their loved ones! Then there are some students who may prefer to live in a certain region based on the weather.
Florida Weather Compared to Other Regions in the United States (US)
For some, the southern region of the US tends to be the most favorable as many residents in the northern parts will spend good money just to spend a week down south. That is because the northern, Midwest, and northeastern part of the US have four seasonal changes in the climate. These aren’t terrible regions to live in if one is fond of cold weather. However, it is worth noting that Florida, in particular has been reportedly the most visited state where US residents vacation.
Nick-named, “The Sunshine State,” the state of Florida is known for sunny weather all year round with no obvious seasonal changes other than the temperature dropping as low as approximately 80 degrees as well as the humidity level in the winter season.
Advantages of Having No Snow: What You’re Missing
To live in snowy weather conditions or not? That is usually the question that often separates the northerners from the southerners. If one cannot bear to live in the cold weather, then attending a college or university in South Florida is the best decision.
Here is a list of things that make a South Florida student’s life a little unique and what he or she might be missing as a 4-season student:
Sleep in Later – When living in a climate where one can wake up with 1 to 10 inches or more of snow on the ground, it is important to allot enough time to shovel snow. Some cities typically give residents 24 hours to shovel their walkway before fining them.
Another thing to take into consideration is how snow can affect one’s means of transportation. Vehicles don’t operate as well in the cold. If the vehicle isn’t in covered in a garage or carport, chances are that the owner will have to take more time to let the car or truck warm up a bit and let it sit idling for at least five minutes. If there’s frost, one can either wait for the car’s defroster to kick in or put a little muscle work into it and scrap the frost off the windows. This entire process could take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes, depending on how old the vehicle is and how cold the temperature is.
Even if one takes public transportation, students still have to trek through the snow and wait sometimes in below zero temperature to wait for their train or bus to arrive. In short, one will have to make time for snow!
Wear Less Insulation – Colder weather means wearing more than jeans and a t-shirt. Just store those flip-flops away in a box for six months because there will be no need for them until then! To keep the toes from freezing, one may have to layer one to two pairs of socks along with heavy snow boots and a well-insulated jacket and wooly scarf to protect one from the biting cold elements.
No Snow Storms – Snowstorms have been known to shut down an entire city and it happens almost every year! What this means for most schools in these areas is that however many days that they lose typically needs to be made up in the spring. So for students, summer may have to wait a couple days or even a week!
Also, driving in the snow can be hazardous if one isn’t equipped with the proper tires. As the temperature drops, the snow melts causing a slushy substance on the ground that can turn into ice once the temperature reaches a freezing level—and in the northern climates, it always does!
Avoiding Winter Weight – The winter and holiday season come as a pair causing people to stay indoors to stay warm while celebrating the festivities with traditional feasts and tasty treats. This is where the term “winter weight” comes into play, because during the winter months, most people tend to eat more while being less active.
Prospective Students Consider All Possibilities
For students going to school in South Florida, the woes of dealing with snow is a not even an issue. With the sun shining twelve months out of the year, life as a Florida student can be a little more carefree than a student in the snowy regions. College students can exercise their mind and body by taking advantage of the beautiful Florida weather. One can bike to classes or get some fresh air by taking a brisk walk in the breezy tropical weather.
What’s So Unique?
Student life in South Florida is unique because most of the country deals with seasonal climates. Living in four-season climate means maintenance, whether it’s yourself, your car, your home, or your means of transportation. Living in a seasonal climate is something that can also eat in to a student’s study time. As a Florida National University (FNU) student, all there is to maintain is a decent grade point average…and an umbrella from time to time!
FNU: Where the Sun Always Shines!
FNU knows how good weather can positively affect a student’s academic studies. We are confident that you will have a great experience attending college at any of our campuses located in Miami and Hialeah, only 30 minutes from the sandy shores of Miami Beach. If you are curious to what else FNU offers besides an excellent location, contact one of our guidance counselors today!
