The Big Snow Day on Campus

Almost 5 weeks in, and no real snow…

It’s almost five weeks into the winter term, and Minnesota has kept us waiting for that real snow—the kind everyone talks about when they mention the state’s infamous winter.  I was expecting a lot of things when I left home, the cold being one of them, but nothing quite prepares you for this. You hear the warnings: “Make sure you have good winter gear,” “The snow is beautiful but deceiving,” “Layers, layers, layers!” But nothing really clicks until you’re standing outside, facing the icy wind that bites through every layer of your clothing, wondering if you’ve suddenly developed the power of invisibility because the cold has numbed you into an entirely new dimension. I have been bracing myself for the cold, the snow hadn’t really shown up yet. Yes, we’ve had a few flurries here and there, but nothing that could truly be called “Minnesota snow.” Finally, we had a snowstorm hit over winter break.

I decided to stay on campus over the break, and I’m so glad I did. It was peaceful, and a great time to catch up on things while enjoying a slower pace. But one morning, I woke up to a surprise. Overnight, the campus had transformed. Snow was falling thick and fast, covering everything in a beautiful blanket of white. It was the kind of snow you see in movies – huge, soft flakes drifting down from the sky in slow motion. It felt like nature was putting on a show just for me. And somehow, in the midst of the cold, I found warmth.

The campus was completely covered. You couldn’t see the sidewalks or the benches – just pure, unbroken snow. It was the kind of snow that makes you want to step outside and take a deep breath, just to feel the chill on your face and listen to the crunch of your boots in the fresh powder. By midday, the Carleton Facilities services had sent out their snowplows to clear the sidewalks, creating neat paths and making the campus look even more beautiful. The snow was carefully removed, making it easier to get around and improving the overall view.

The Snow felt like Magic!

There’s something about snow that brings a certain magic to the atmosphere.  I couldn’t help but take pictures and videos. I was walking around campus, taking in the beauty of it all, and I realized that, even in the middle of winter, Minnesota has a way of making you feel welcome. Even the students I saw on that day had bundled up just like me, but you could still see their smiles behind their scarves. 

What made it even more special was how quiet it was. Without the usual hustle and bustle of a full campus, the snow seemed to dampen all the noise, leaving just the sound of my own footsteps and the few leaves tightly holding onto their branches with full strength against the blowing calm wind. It felt like a rare moment of solitude, a chance to pause and appreciate the beauty of the season.

 It’s moments like these that remind me why I’m so glad I chose this college – even in the middle of Minnesota’s harsh winter, there’s always a little magic waiting around the corner. The best part? I know the snow will be sticking around, and there’s more to come.  It’s a little sad I haven’t seen any like that since the start of the term but I hope to experience another soon.

Maybe next time, I’ll try building a snowman. After all, Minnesota snow has a way of making even the coldest days feel a little brighter.

Agnes (she/her) comes from Ghana. While it might seem like a faraway land, the strong sense of community, the incredibly kind people, and the enormous number of trees at Carleton make her feel at home. Her love for science stems from her fascination with nature, as science finds an interesting way to explain the natural world. She is a member of the FOCUS Program.  When she’s not writing, dancing, or singing behind closed doors, you can probably find her engaged in conversation somewhere. She likes to spend time researching medical school and life beyond; that should tell you about her great interest in pre-med. While she continues to explore her interests, she has discovered a great interest for Biology, Chemistry, and CAMS classes at Carleton.