With the cost of space heaters and the constraints of a college student’s budget, there are multiple ways to stay warm without a heater.

Here are some tips on how to stay warm and combat the cold:

Layers, layers and more layers

Layering is key for everyone in the winter, but most importantly when your heater is unreliable. Having an extra sweatshirt, sweater or jacket handy at all times is crucial, along with socks or slippers to keep feet warm.

Blankets

Sitting on a futon, lounge chair, desk chair or lying in bed, throwing a blanket over your shoulders or legs is a quick and easy way to combat the cold. It is also a good opportunity to spark your creativity and bond with a roommate by making tie blankets.

Heat rises

As science has it, heat rises. A lofted bed is a much warmer lounge area than your floor. Walk up the stairs to a friend’s room or a higher elevated room to hang out in. Reading, completing a worksheet, filling out applications, watching movies, talking on the phone and responding to emails can be done in the comfort and warmth of a bed.

Shut and lock the window

Just because the window is shut doesn’t mean it’s sealed. Heavy winds mixed with bitter cold temperatures can slither through the cracks of the window seal, so lock the window.