Winter leaves Eastern students searching for ways to get prepared for the cold, and new ways to keep busy and entertained.

With winter’s early onset over the past few days, students need to start thinking.

Eric McGee, a freshman computer information systems major, said his first priority is to gear up for the cold weather.

He said dressing properly for him includes Timberland boots and a good Carhartt coat.

“None of that Wal-Mart stuff,” he said.

McGee said he is not a winter sports person. His outdoor activities in the winter mainly consist of “walking to class.”

McGee said he mainly sticks to the bowling alleys and clubs during the wintertime.

Angel Davis, a freshman elementary education major, said she prepares herself for winter by going to Old Navy.

“I get a hat and scarf and glove set,” Davis said.

And she is sure to pull out her winter coat from the closet as well.

Davis plays indoor basketball in the winter to keep busy and also works out to help lose the “freshman 15.”

Unlike Davis, not every student loathes cold weather.

Freshman Tim Binder said he likes the cold much better than extremely hot weather.

“You can always put on more clothing,” he said. “In the heat, you’re just boiling.”

As far as recreation goes, students aren’t left alone to amuse themselves in the winter. Resident assistants are around to offer ideas and programs.

“I don’t like winter at all,” said Adam Rudesill, a senior communication studies major and RA on the second floor of Taylor Hall South. “I hate the slush, I hate the ice. Winter is not my season.”

As a RA, his responsibility is to have programs going on year round.

Rudesill said it is more common in the winter for students to break the rules, probably because they’re confined to their residence halls.

He tries to combat this to help his residents get through the season.

“We focus on indoor activities,” Rudesill said. “A lot of RAs will go to the indoor athletic events, such as the basketball games (with their floor) or take their residents to R.O. (Reservation Only) dining.”

Rudesill said RAs hold a lot of card games, and video game tournaments on a larger, more social scale during the winter.

One event Rudesill held last year was “Celebrity Island.”

“I put a bunch of celebrities on a bulletin board, and the residents ranked who they liked and whom they wanted kicked off the island,” he said.

Also, he held a floor arm wrestling match.

Rudesill said that a lot of bigger programs are run through the hall council.

Patrick Sweeney, a junior English education major, is an RA in McKinney Hall.

Sweeney said he doesn’t let winter bother him.

“I build myself up,” he said. “I mentally prepare, make myself aware of the situation, and not let the cold weather surprise me. I enjoy winter; I think it’s a beautiful season.”

Sweeney is also a runner. He said he doesn’t stop running outside in the winter. He also keeps himself busy by working out and reading a lot.

“The more you keep busy, the quicker the season goes,” he said.

Winter at Eastern cannot be escaped, but between students preparing themselves and RAs offering solutions to cure cabin fever, winter can be managed.