By SHELBY BILBRUCK
Columnist

Walking to class in the winter means trying to avoid cold fingers, frostbitten ears and soaking wet socks from trudging through the snow. Luckily, there’s a few tricks out there to keep you warm and dry.

Gloves can keep the freezing winds from completely numbing your fingertips, but they probably won’t keep your hands toasty. For those days when it’s in the negatives, grab a couple of hand warmers and pop them in your pockets.

Another plus with hand warmers is that if you’re carrying a project to class or trying to scrape ice off your windshield to get there, you can put them in your gloves to keep your hands warm.

Now from one extremity to another, keeping your feet and toes warm in the winter is definitely a must. Plus, unlike your hands, you have to worry about keeping them dry as well.

To avoid wet socks after walking through the snow and slush across campus, put sandwich bags around your socks before putting on your shoes. It may sound like a lot of trouble now, but having dry, warm feet all winter will be worth it.

The next trick is one you’ve most likely heard since you were a kid, but it’s time to crank it up a notch. The trick is to add more layers to your outfit.

When I say this, I’m not talking about adding a coat over your sweater. Add an undershirt and a jacket to what you’re wearing then top it off with your coat. Remember that you can always take layers off if you get too hot in class, but you can’t add them when you’re freezing on your walk there.

Don’t forget to layer up on your head as well. Put a headband around your ears, add a thick hat and then finish with your coats’ hood.

Lastly, carry spare winter accessories like mittens, hats and scarves in your backpack. If you forget to grab one or don’t think you need it until you’re halfway to class, you have a backup. Not to mention if one gets wet and cold, you always have another one handy.

This winter stay warm with these toasty tricks!