“Beep! Beep!” goes your snoozed alarm that signals the start of your day, but you quickly realize that it is that time of year to check your weather app before you step out of the door.

You first check the forecast at 7 a.m. and it’s 58 degrees and you think, “Hey, it’s sweater weather!” You walk outside and see the dew on the car windows and you know it’ll be a great Fall day as you bundle up in your favorite cable-knit ensemble. Wrong.

It might be 58 degrees now, but you never know what it’s going to be when you walk out of your last class to go home and take that rewarding nap.

We all have that problem around this time of the year. The mums are out and blooming as the hint of pumpkin spice aroma near campus coffee houses overwhelms the air and you ultimately always ask yourself by mid-afternoon why you wore a coat in 70-degree weather.

Thankfully there are other ways to counteract this winter cold in the morning and summer heat in the afternoon.

The first is to decide whether to sacrifice your legs in the morning or sweat that “Freshman 15” in the afternoon.

When you go out for the day in the cold, you pick the warmest jacket you can find, which is common but you should always wear something under your cold protection. Wear that Greek shirt you love or wear school pride on your sleeve as you countdown to Caturday. Even though it seems like a waste of clothes and more laundry to do, the basic rule to show off your swag is by going to class.

Take off that hoodie and show your Wildcat pride and who you are, then cover up when it’s time for another trek through the Fall cold.

Some of the perks of wearing that swag under your clothing not only makes you feel physically put together, but mentally you’re on Cloud Nine. While everyone is “roughing” it through the tortuous cold or in the scalding hot, you can tell yourself that it’s a good day. This can also lead to success in the classroom or give you that motivation to do that workout you’ve set yourself to do in January for a resolution. Hey, it’s not too late.

Not only are we officially a few days into Fall, here in Kentucky we gradually enter the season when Mother Nature isn’t sure if she is feeling snowflakes or heatwaves, but do not let the weather be the factor of you not being happy. Get out there and use your valuable tuition money to the fullest.

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