Beauty can be found in many corners of Colorado and every season brings something new. Ranging from scorching summers to rainy springs, the winter is something every Coloradian must become accustomed to. The annual snowfall stands at a whopping 211 inches overall, and car crash rates even decrease as people are less inclined to leave their homes. 

Considering these changes, how is the winter impacting students in Colorado? Likewise, what toll does it take on morale and motivation? 

Grandview senior Makenzi Malvits has lived in Colorado her whole life and describes the winter as hectic and dangerous. “It’s so hard to stay motivated and go to school every day because it’s so cold.” This is just the tip of the iceberg of what many students must deal with.

Moreover, she details how driving during winter becomes increasingly stressful. 

“The roads are always so bad around the neighborhoods and coming into the school. Crashes are just expected, especially when kids have never driven in the snow before.” 

Of course, icy streets affect every driver on the road. At the same time, teenagers are at a higher risk of crashing due to lack of experience, anxiety, and feeling pressured to still arrive to class on time; not to mention the race to get out of the parking lot. 

However, transportation is just a single aspect when it comes to school, and many students struggle with their mental health in these

 cold months. The lack of sunlight directly impacts the psyche as the day gets shorter. Being so common for morale to decline in winter months, scientists have given a name to these feelings of exhaustion. Seasonal affective disorder, or S.A.D. is classified as a type of depression that reoccurs in a seasonal pattern, leading to the term “seasonal depression”. It is most common in winter as a lack of vitamin D is proven to cause fatigue, muscle pain, mood changes, and a multitude of other symptoms often classified under depression. With this in mind, it is no wonder why grades and attendance begin to slip. Along with preparing for finals in December, holidays, and an unwavering workload, society often underestimates how difficult it is for students to maintain a positive outlook. 

In the end, winter can be a turbulent time for everyone. It is vital we remain understanding and prioritize the well-being of ourselves and others and be extra vigilant of the weather conditions and what safety precautions to take. Along with this, it is important to communicate with those around you when dealing with these issues. As the winter doesn’t spare anyone, we must be a little more empathetic to each other.