The recent smattering of warmer weather calls for many things: leaving bulky winter coats at home, playing basketball outside, and maybe even walking home from class instead of taking the bus. But some people must always take things too far, which explains the rash of foolish merrymakers wearing their brightly colored flip-flops too soon.

On Thursday, it rained, and yawning puddles dotted campus on Wednesday. While your cute little toes might feel particularly claustrophobic in boots in 40-degree weather, they’re not exactly dying to go for a swim. Late February and early March are awkward times to decide on a shoe, when boots are too chunky in the morning but so cozy when the sun goes down and the wind picks up.

My advice: Pull on a pair of rain boots or put on some practical sneakers — it’s better to be safe than silly.

— by Katie Hanson