40 degrees in the morning, 70 degrees in the afternoon—iconic early fall weather in Virginia. The deceptively cool mornings, followed by blistering afternoons will leave you sweating through your hoodies. As pubescent individuals, it can be difficult to navigate the perils of fall weather in Williamsburg, as well as the lack of stable temperatures within Lafayette High School.

Here are some tips for combating weather as a Lafayette High School Student:

1. Layer Up- Not on clothing, but on deodorant. Invest in some antiperspirant that will keep you smelling fresh, and your armpits dry.
2. Ditch the shorts- Guys, it’s November— summer is over. We don’t get cool points for wearing shorts in the snow.
3. Watch the Weather App at All Times– The weather can change drastically within the span of an hour—or 15 minutes—know the temperature at all times by using a helpful weather app (for those of you wondering, there’s one already installed on your phone).

   

4. Know Your Hot and Cool Spots- The temperature varies significantly within LHS, so it’s absolutely crucial that you know where it’s hot and where it’s cold. Pro tip: The upper commons is ALWAYS freezing—have a sweater on hand when crossing through the frigid zone. 
5. Be ready to shed jackets- Sweating can creep up on you when you least expect it, so shed your jackets and sweaters before you get too hot. Pro tip: Wearing a zip-up hoodie is the best, as it can be taken off easily (for the fashionistas, cardigan sweaters work just as well).
6. Hydration Dos and Don’ts- DO drink water—it’s your best friend, and it can be used as an excuse to leave class! DON’T drink straight out of the school water fountains because they’re probably infested with…well, I’ll let you imagine what they’re infested with. Instead, use the water bottle filling stations (they’re very eco-friendly).
7. Pumpkin Spice Latte Girls- Bust out the Ugg boots and infinity scarves because THIS IS YOUR SEASON! However, be sure to take precautionary measures with your outfit choices: ALWAYS wear socks with your boots—no one wants to smell your sweaty feet.

   

   8. And for Your Signature Fall Beverage… When it comes to the Pumpkin Spice Lattes themselves, consider a different temperature option: ask for a regular pumpkin spice latte (venti, always) and a cup of ice on the side. Then, pour the ice into the latte and you get an uneven blend of hot and cold that will eventually turn into a bland, lukewarm mixture that’s quite reminiscent of the heating system in our very school.

Hopefully, these tips will make your autumn pleasant, and your armpits dry.