Cold Weather Clothes and Gear
Depending on where your school is located, it can get pretty cold during the winter months. I go to Clemson University in the upstate of South Carolina, and even here in the South it gets pretty cold between December and February. (Yeah I know, we only get 6" of snow a year, but to us Southern folk, that's a lot)
You may not have to take all of your heavy winter clothes to school right away. If you are planning on going home for a visit (or your parents are planning on visiting you) before it gets really cold, then you can just get pick them up then. Same goes for Spring. You can take it all home over Spring Break or Easter before you're in the move-out crunch.
If you're from a cold area to begin with, you can probably skip this list. But if you're from the Deep South and have never seen more than a dusting of snow, you may not have thought about it yet. Here's my suggested list of cold weather clothes and gear.
Winter Weather Clothes
- Hoodie or Sweatshirt - This will keep you warm walking to class on those chilly fall mornings.
- Warm Winter Jacket - A heavy jacket for those cold days will serve you well once the temperature starts dropping.
- Weather Resistant Jacket - Boy you'll be glad you have one of these during those winter storms. Whether it's rain, sleet, or snow, a rain-proof coat will keep you dry.
- Warm Shirts - A lot of college buildings are old brick or stone, and your classrooms may be a little chilly. Get yourself some long-sleeve waffle knit shirts, and you'll be nice and toasty.
- Long Pants - Jeans will be fine for most days, but you might want a couple water-resistant pairs for those snowy days.
- Boots - when things get wet and slushy, you'll want some good boots to keep your feet warm and dry. When things get messy here, I just wear my ROTC combat boots.
Winter Activities Gear
- Ski Gear - Some ski pants, gloves, etc. may come in handy when your friends decide to take a snowboarding trip over the weekend. If you have skis or a snowboard, then you've got everything you need.
- Cold-Weather Camping Gear - Hiking and backpacking is a very popular activity at Clemson.From here, it's only a short drive up to the Smokey Mountains. I've spent my share of cold nights on the trail, and a good quality winter sleeping bag and hiking gear will serve you well.
- Winter Running Gear - If you're a runner, you probably already have what you need. If you're not, college is a great place to start. Pack a pair of long pants and thermal-wear for those freezing winter runs.
If you're going to school close to home, then you may just leave your winter gear with your parents, and just pick it up when you need it. That dorm room can get pretty small once you start cramming stuff into it!
For more about what to pack for college, check out The Checklist.
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