The Dutch winters can be cold, wet and sad. If this is your first winter here, there might be some handy tips in the coming article.

Most important thing to ‘a-dress’, might be clothing. It would be wise to dress up in layers, since you might be going in and out of buildings with different temperatures.

But what is best to wear? We would recommend a warm and (slightly) water-resistant coat. The rain can start out of nowhere and a completely soaked coat is best prevented. If you despise the cold, thermal clothing might also be something of your interest. Same goes for shoes. And last but not least, decent gloves, a scarf and a hat are better not to forget. These can be life savers especially when you have to be outdoors for a prolonged period, which you are now prepared for.

Now you are prepared to go outside, the next Dutch thing to do is to take your bike and go somewhere. But what about biking in the winter? Since you are dressed against the cold what is there to improve? I would advice to get a good set of bike lights. During the coming months you will have to cycle through the dark a lot, and being visible in traffic is important! Another thing to check are your bike tires. Do they have enough grip on the road? Losing control of your bike is the last thing you’d want.

How chilly is your room getting at this point? Because there are steps you can take to fight the cold and keep it out, for now… Draft stoppers for windows and doors might help to keep some cold out, especially during windy periods. Dressing in layers in your own home is also a good way to protect yourself from the cold. And of course, don’t forget to have some blankets at hand.

When the sun doesn’t set like it used to, things can become a bit depressing. So here’s a short guide to Beating the Winter Blues.

It is important to keep in contact with other classmates. Ask them how they are doing, and what they have been up to during the cold days that are spent indoors. Going outside for a walk from time to time might not be a bad idea. You know how to dress now, all that is left to do is the ‘impress’. There are also countless of things to do outside and a lot of festive activities around Tilburg. The ice skating rink in the city centre is open till the 5^th of January. Or you might hide with friends inside to watch a movie. So it is the perfect season for both activities.

Now that you know everything to effectively combat the potential harsh winters of the Netherlands. It is up to you to style it to your liking. Which winter colors fit you best? But when you ask yourself that, you probably are free of the cold.