Audrey Brockhaus walks to class with socks on her hands.
The advertising junior lost her mittens and said she can't stand the cold without her hands covered.
"That's how I keep warm," she said. "It's a deep and bitter cold. There's not that much snow. It's so cold."
The National Weather Service issued warnings this week against frostbite, saying this week's chilly temperatures are more likely to cause the condition.
David Bechler, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids, said students can look forward to warmer weather next week, with temperatures in the high 20s to low 30s.
To prevent frostbite, the weather service recommends wearing multiple layers of clothing instead of just a single bulky piece. Multiple layers are better at trapping heat. Extra socks and gloves help as well.
"It's so cold my lower jaw feels like its going to fall off," advertising sophomore Natalie Marion said. "If you wear Converse All Stars make sure to wear two pairs of socks."
Signs of frostbite include: White and waxy skin, and skin so numb the sensation of cold is no longer felt. A wind chill of minus 20 can cause frostbite in less than 30 minutes.
The body parts that are most prone to frostbite are fingers, toes, earlobes, lips, and the face.
Frostbite sets in faster with people who smoke and have diabetes, the weather service warnings said. The age groups most at risk of getting frostbite are the elderly, children and infants.
But students walking around campus say they feel the effects of the cold as well.
"I've been taking the bus a lot," advertising sophomore Kristen Kielhorn said. "I don't normally take the bus at all. I'm not real big on the bus system. I have an apartment off campus, so I don't really have any other choice."
Another common cold weather health problem is hypothermia, which occurs when the body's temperature drops below 98.6 degrees. The National Weather Service says warning signs include: Uncontrollable shivering, disorientation, incoherent or slurred speech and cold pale skin.
Some students say the cold affects their day-to-day activities.
"For exercise I have a gym membership now instead of going outside because it's too cold," political theory and constitutional democracy junior Kelly Langmesser said.
Sociology junior Rachel Grysiewicz said she tries to be outside as little as possible.
"I always get a ride to class from my roommate," Grysiewicz said. "It's killing me walking from Bessey (Hall) to the International Center. I'm always really pokey in the morning and my hair is always wet. That doesn't help."
