How to stay cool in college dorms as heat nears

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- College students start classes next week, which is coinciding with the return of the heat.

One thing that never mixes well are dorm rooms, particularly ones with no AC, and the heat.

During hot weather, dorm rooms with no AC can often hover around 80 degrees. Factor in the humidity, they can feel like 95 degrees.

This is dangerous for any student to study or sleep in. Concentration levels worsen and heat risk increases because of this.

Dorm rooms with no AC are a health concern because the brick absorbs all that heat during the day and then emits it during the night.

Most dorm buildings also are built where air simply cannot pass through easily from one side to another. This allows the air to be stagnant and creates an even hotter room.

The best way to avoid heat related illness as a college student in a hot dorm is to drink plenty of water during the day.

Other helpful ways are using a fan to circulate the air, taking cold showers, or finding AC in another building on campus.

Be sure to be mindful of any hot days on campus, as the heat typically does linger into September, and this year seems no different.