When I first arrived at South Dakota State University (SDSU) as a Ph.D. student, I was prepared for the academic challenges that lay ahead. What I wasn’t fully prepared for were the brutal winters that would become an unforgettable part of my experience in Brookings, South Dakota.
Brookings, home to SDSU, is a charming small town with a tight-knit community, and it’s the kind of place that can make you feel right at home. However, once winter sets in, the town transforms into a different world—a world where survival becomes more than just a metaphor for getting through your coursework.
The first winter I experienced in Brookings was nothing short of an initiation into the harsh realities of life in the northern plains. The temperatures plummet well below freezing, often dipping into the negative double digits, and the wind chill makes it feel even colder. The snow, which can start falling as early as October, blankets the town in a thick, seemingly never-ending layer of white. By January, the snow is so deep that the campus walkways resemble narrow trenches cut through towering walls of ice.
I remember trudging across campus to attend classes, bundled up in layers upon layers of clothing. Even then, the cold would seep through, making every step a challenge. The wind, relentless and unforgiving, would whip across the open spaces of campus, cutting through any gaps in my clothing and stinging my face. The short walk from my apartment to the lab felt like an Arctic expedition.
There were days when the snowstorms were so intense that the entire town seemed to shut down. Classes would be canceled, and the streets would be eerily quiet, save for the howling wind. On those days, the warmth of my apartment became a sanctuary, a place to hunker down with a hot cup of coffee and try to focus on my research, despite the storm raging outside.
But as much as the winters in Brookings were harsh, they were also a time of camaraderie among students. We bonded over our shared experience of enduring the cold, finding solace in the small things—a warm drink at the campus coffee shop, a movie night with friends, or simply the relief of stepping into a heated building after braving the elements.
The long winters also taught me resilience and the importance of finding balance. When the weather outside is so unforgiving, it’s easy to feel isolated or overwhelmed. But I learned to embrace the quiet moments, to use the time indoors to reflect, plan, and, yes, sometimes just relax. Those winters taught me that it’s okay to slow down, to take a break, and to prioritize self-care in the midst of academic pressure.
As I look back on my time at SDSU, the winters in Brookings stand out as some of the most challenging but also the most formative experiences of my Ph.D. journey. They tested my limits, both physically and mentally, but they also made me stronger. And while I may not miss the bitter cold, I do appreciate the lessons I learned from those long, icy months.
So, if you find yourself at SDSU during the winter, know that you’re in for a unique experience. Bundle up, brace yourself for the cold, and remember that you’re not alone. There’s a community of fellow students who are right there with you, navigating the same challenges, and finding warmth in each other’s company.
