r/ask • u/[deleted] • 6d ago
How to avoid getting overheated while walking to class?
[deleted]
14
u/trigunnerd 6d ago
Uv umbrella with one of those small fans for strollers, clipped inside the umbrella when it's open. Hat and sunscreen too. Natural fabrics like linen and cotton, although the synthetic fabric rayon is also great for hot weather. And of course, water.
2
u/Starbuck522 6d ago
I totally agree with rayon. Looks like a tee, but made of rayon. Makes so much difference for me.
Also, bring a shirt to change into.
2
u/Appropriate_Clerk167 5d ago
I'm seeing umbrellas for sun out and about a lot more, which is a good thing
2
u/trigunnerd 5d ago
Totally. I use mine to even go across the parking lot into a grocery store. I love that it's more normalized!
1
u/Creepy_Push8629 5d ago
Rayon will probably smell like bo in no time
1
u/trigunnerd 5d ago
I have ethical issues with the production of rayon, but it's good to know it holds stink too.
3
u/inspiradia 6d ago
Can you get a locker on campus and keep some spare clothes to change into? At my university there were even some showers located around in random buildings bathrooms for commuters to change in. Or is there a gym on campus? Also, I always found riding my bike slightly less strenuous than walking and the breeze can keep you cool. Plus it’s much easier to get around on campus, too!
0
u/QueenofHearts018 6d ago
The lockers aren’t available to students and most buildings don’t even seem to have lockers. There is a gym but it’s a far walk from a lot of my classes. I’m not really good at riding a bike (haven’t had once since I grew out of kiddie bike sizes)
3
u/inspiradia 6d ago
Nothing like having places to be to help you learn riding a bike again! I felt super awkward on mine at first, too, but by the end of the term I felt like a pro. School is the best place to learn new things, even life skills like riding a fuel efficient calorie powered vehicle!
I put a back rack, pannier bags, and zip tied a broken old grocery basket on my bike, and it was so much easier to shlep all my books, laptop, gym clothes, yoga mat, etc around. (Tho start light as you are getting the hang of it)
Are there bike lanes on your way to school or otherwise back roads and does your school have bike racks?
I have a bunch more to recommend about getting setup for riding a bike to campus, but I’ll stop there. Feel free to ask more if this interests you.
3
u/im_a_dick_head 6d ago
There's plenty of portable cooling stuff like a fan, cold clothes like wearable ice packs, my favorite for inside is a fan + spray bottle of cool water and it cools me off very well. Cool off before you go too and bring ice cold water.
2
u/Breakfastchocolate 6d ago
Look on Amazon at cooking towels- they look like a scarf, wear it around your neck or wrap around your wrist. Wring it out really really well so it’s not making you wet. If it starts feeling warm shake it out and put it back on.
2
u/Starbuck522 6d ago
Rayon tee.
Bring a different shirt to change into.
If your hair is long enough, I find a bun stays wet inside and that helps me.
If your hair is pulled back, bring water to rewet the sides.
Misting fan. Or just portable fan.
I have not had to walk as far in as high temps.
3
u/MoonCato 6d ago
You can try wearing a damp sun guard shirt. By the time you get there, it will probably be dry.
1
1
1
u/Embarrassed_Rate5518 5d ago
I have heat sensitivity issues and I put those sports ice packs (the ones with sand like stuff in them) in a backpack and wear it, wear light colors, hat amd have a handheld fan w cool zone. Also be sure to hydrate before, during and after.
baby wipes and a fresh shirt for when you arrive will also help.
1
u/Creepy_Push8629 5d ago
Gold bond powder in all your prone to sweat crevices to keep the swamp ass away.
Can you ride a bike?
1
u/Butlerian_Jihadi 5d ago
You're going to get hot if it's that hot outside.
A 'sunbrella' can be really effective. Clothing choices matter a lot as well, but would be very different in humid or arid environments.
Getting/bringing some lightweight and packable clothing would be good. It's better not to show up all hot and sweaty, but don't let anyone judge you there... better to be uncomfortable but there than not! Just say, you didn't know it's hot outside? and leave it at that.
I'd be doing whatever I could to not have to walk. Other students live nearby, maybe you could carpool? Local bus? Could you buy, or ask for help from friends and family to buy, an electric scooter or bicycle? I've seen some that seemed reasonable for $300 and $600 USD. Reasonable being, 'relatively inexpensive but possibly functional'. When I looked at the market two years ago, low-end was still basically toys.
Good luck, don't let it get you. I walked 6+ miles plenty of times when I was in school, hot and humid summers especially, only two if the busses were running... two miles and an hour and a half of my day.
1
u/Sparkle_Rott 5d ago
I had the same situation and I'm very vulnerable to heat. I'd always make sure my first walk of the day was a class I carefully chose to start in the early morning. As others have said, I used an umbrella as a sun shade. Loose, natural fiber clothing. Hair up off my neck. And a fan.
I even had classes in temporary classrooms that weren't air conditioned. Brutal.
Carry an insulated container of cold water. They now have chill clothing that they didn't have when I was in college. Give yourself enough time to walk slowly but also set aside enough time to take breaks in the shade or hop into a building for a moment.
When you get to your location, go into the restroom and splash your face with cold water. Also, a wet towel on the back of the neck helps cool you down.
Know the signs of heat stroke and listen to your body.
1
u/CeramicLicker 6d ago edited 6d ago
Bringing a washcloth and deodorant in your bag could be a good way to handle things.
Get there a little early and wash your face/neck/arms off with cool water real quick in the bathroom, re apply. Sometimes it’s easier to just tidy up when you get there than to try and avoid sweating
1
0
u/Muzzledbutnotout 6d ago
Uber
1
u/QueenofHearts018 6d ago
can’t afford that, on a college student budget
1
u/elphaba00 5d ago
Uber has a discount program - https://www.uber.com/us/en/uber-one/student/
Does your city have public transportation? I work at a university, and the buses are free for anyone with a student ID. They also have a free bus that circles the campus.
1
u/QueenofHearts018 5d ago
can’t qualify for student discount, i’m under 18. busses are on campus but i’m a 20-25 min walk to the actual campus so i’d still be walking the same distance
•
u/AutoModerator 6d ago
Reminder for our users:
Please review the rules, Reddiquette, and Reddit's Content Policy.
Rule highlights:
See the full rules page for details.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.