How to cope with coming back to school after a snow day

• Make sure your car isn’t stuck. You don’t want to start your day with pushing your car out of a mountain of snow. Make sure it’s ready to go before you leave.

• Go to bed early. Having to wake up for an early class after only getting a few hours of sleep will make your day more stressful.

• Have a dry pair of shoes ready. Leaving for class and having to put on shoes or boots that got wet after playing in the snow all day Monday is a nightmare.

• Use your day off to get organized. Spend 15 minutes getting your books, clothes and homework ready for the next day. This will give you more time in the morning and you won’t be as stressed.

• Dress for the weather. Even though school is back in session, the weather is still unpredictable. Make sure you’re dressing for snowfall and sunshine.

How to get your car unstuck

• Put cat litter or salt by the tires. This will create traction which will help your car get unstuck easier.

• Put sand bags in your trunk. This will give your car more weight, which will add traction.

• Put your floor mats under your tires. This is for people who don’t have sand or cat litter. Put the mats on the front tires for front wheel drive and the rear tires for rear wheel drive. Your mats will be destroyed, but you won’t be stuck.

• Keep a shovel in your car to shovel any snow that surrounds or is under your car, said Eric Hicks, DeKalb Fire Department chief.

• Be careful. Trying to get your care unstuck is a very dangerous thing and accidents can happen, Hicks said.

How to prepare for a big snow storm

• Be aware of your surroundings. You should know what the forecast is, Hicks said.

• Have your cellphone charged so you can call someone if you get stuck, Hicks said.

• Have blankets and other safety items in your car. This includes food and a flashlight, Hicks said.

• Have your car full of gas and ensure it is well-maintained. Your car might not work well when the temperatures drop or there’s too much snow, Hicks said.

• Keep your fridge and pantry stocked with food. If your car is stuck and the buses aren’t running, you’ll want to have food to eat if you don’t have a way to go anywhere.