Help! Packing for DD for Cold Weather College (Syracuse!)

[Kitzka]

I'm going to ask what dorm is she in? I went to Syracuse as did my husband and he was there during a blizzard. the one thing about going to school there is that you end up building a tolerance to the cold. I was there for 4 years and NEVER wore a hat (i hate hats). the classrooms are well heated (in most buildings). the walk to the class can be brutal but the harsh weather won't hit until Jan. you will be surprised to see kids wearing shorts in Nov or even in march when the temps are "high" aka in the 50s.

when it gets cold the snow tends to get bpacked down so i hardly wore my hiking boots but i did wear some heavy soled boot type shoes (like doc martens) almost exclusively my freshman year. and it was not a fashion statement.

SU is more of a fashion plate school. we didn't often have girls in sweats in class with the exception of 8am classes. usually by the 10am or later classes the girls were done up.

Now this was a few years ago but i hope it helps.

Lara

 

[uromac]

I'm going to ask what dorm is she in? I went to Syracuse as did my husband and he was there during a blizzard. the one thing about going to school there is that you end up building a tolerance to the cold. I was there for 4 years and NEVER wore a hat (i hate hats). the classrooms are well heated (in most buildings). the walk to the class can be brutal but the harsh weather won't hit until Jan. you will be surprised to see kids wearing shorts in Nov or even in march when the temps are "high" aka in the 50s.

when it gets cold the snow tends to get bpacked down so i hardly wore my hiking boots but i did wear some heavy soled boot type shoes (like doc martens) almost exclusively my freshman year. and it was not a fashion statement.

SU is more of a fashion plate school. we didn't often have girls in sweats in class with the exception of 8am classes. usually by the 10am or later classes the girls were done up.

Now this was a few years ago but i hope it helps.

Lara

She's going to be in Boland near the BBB residence complex near the VA hospital and relatively close to the Carrier Dome but I believe fairly far from the main quad area and where she stayed last summer in Booth Hall. She's interested in Family Studies/Education and Sports Management - and in the Falk School of Sports and Human Dynamics - formerly School of Human Ecology.

I know kids are more 'fashion over function' especially at SU, but I really appreciate you and the other posters reassuring me! She's really looking forward to going to SU - GO ORANGE!

Thanks again!!

 

[mmmbop]

I'm from Syracuse as well (didn't go to SU though - Le Moyne). I wouldn't say it's EXTREME weather. Is it cold? Yep, sure is! With wind chill, yes, it could be negative.
However, on the hill it gets windy. Brrr! It will definitely be snowy though. Boots are a must. Gloves/mittens would be helpful too, along with scarves, if she's into them.

As others say, she should be fine for Fall semester. It's the spring semester she'll have to worry about. If something "comes up" and she wants to go on a shopping spree for warmer clothes, and has access to a vehicle, she can head about 45 minutes west to Waterloo Premium Outlets.

Of course there's Walmarts and Targets around, and Carousel Mall. But Waterloo may offer an interesting (cheaper) alternative for clothing purchases.

As others have said, she'll be closer to Marshall Street where some great food options are available. DBF & I love this time of year - when school isn't in session. We love hitting up Insomnia Cookies
DBF's friends are getting married up there next year (they met at SU and decided to get married there). DBF is in the wedding, and he's already planning on hitting Insomnia Cookies before the ceremony

 

[Kitzka]

She's going to be in Boland near the BBB residence complex near the VA hospital and relatively close to the Carrier Dome but I believe fairly far from the main quad area and where she stayed last summer in Booth Hall. She's interested in Family Studies/Education and Sports Management - and in the Falk School of Sports and Human Dynamics - formerly School of Human Ecology.

I know kids are more 'fashion over function' especially at SU, but I really appreciate you and the other posters reassuring me! She's really looking forward to going to SU - GO ORANGE!

Thanks again!!

AH yes. Boland is a littler further off (DH was in Brewster). the good thing is that she is close to the Dome for sporting event but a bit of a trek from campus so can't really pop into her dorm to chill. (i was in Flint as a Freshman and in Watson for sophomor year. Then lived off campus jr and sr year. it saved my parents a mint!)

The main thing will be for her to plan her day and make sure she listens to the weather report and brings what she needs at once. nothing stinks more then forgetting your gloves and having to trek 20 mins back to get them or not having any all day. I usually kept a pair in my coat and in my backpack just in case.

DH and I bleed orange (lol) but she HAS to go to Dinsosaur BBQ. there is one in NYC but the one in Syracuse (not on campus) may like like a divey biker bar but the food is TO DIE FOR. before they opened the NYC location DH and i would take day trips just to eat there. (5 hours from where we lived).

She's going to love it.also, not sure how much of an outdoor girl she is but you may want to look for a lamp which emits natural light. My sophmore year roommate was really bummed out Nov-april when there wasn't much sunlight. she wuold study in our room by a lamp that emitted sunlight like light. it made her a happier person. I was not effected by seasonal affect disorder (sad) but sometimes people who aren't use to the lack of sunlight are.

Lara

 

[momof3ds]

I lived in Brewster/ Boland Freshman year. Good boots are essential. Honestly, I don't get cold that easily so I spent most winters in a fleece hoody.

As others have said, there are plenty of places to shop around campus and there is the mall as well.

There are banks close to campus that will have student accounts she can set up. With bank of america, even if she has an account at a different bank, you can set up online transfers to her bank account if you have the account number.

 

[luckyfin]

She will be fine walking to and from class even 15-20 minutes- she will be exerting energy and will probably be quite warm or almost sweaty when she gets to her destination. Make sure to pack the thermals and the warm layers for when she will be doing more of the sedentary stuff, like tailgating . That's when you notice it!

 

[uromac]

I would just like to say thanks to everyone who posted!

You guys really reassured me - I guess I was feeling a bit overwhelmed at the moment with all the things to get in order- but I now think we have most everything clothing-wise at least for the time being!

BTW, we have been to the Dinosaur BBQ and love it (so much so we bought the sauce and rubs to make here at home - but it just doesn't taste the same!) Also she has an SU student tix package for the games at the Dome and we have tickets already for our parents weekend trip. We're really looking forward to that great SU experience at the Carrier Dome!

Thanks again!!

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You could get the 3M On Command hooks
http://www.command.com/wps/portal/3...4=8544447085&gclid=CNbaj5CQyKoCFQEKKgodxXPwyg

If she will be attending football games you might want to get her some Hot Hand / Foot packets. Here is what they look like and you can get them at Walmart or Home Depot

http://www.uline.com/BL_1198/Hand-and-Foot-Warmers?pricode=wq825&gclid=CJ7k7eaQyKoCFQHf4Aodi2aT0g

Thanks - didn't think of duct tape or ties! I'm now making an emergency box for her dorm containing dollar store cutlery, scissors, screwdriver, hammer, can opener - anything else? They have a split double (closet ,desk area divides the room in two so each student has there own space - but the closet has a sliding door - so I'm not sure about the over-the-door hook situation, but I will definitely get a few!

Keep the ideas coming!!

 

[uromac]

You could get the 3M On Command hooks
http://www.command.com/wps/portal/3...4=8544447085&gclid=CNbaj5CQyKoCFQEKKgodxXPwyg

If she will be attending football games you might want to get her some Hot Hand / Foot packets. Here is what they look like and you can get them at Walmart or Home Depot

http://www.uline.com/BL_1198/Hand-and-Foot-Warmers?pricode=wq825&gclid=CJ7k7eaQyKoCFQHf4Aodi2aT0g

Funny you should mention those items - I just picked them up our local walmart today!

 

[Evi]

My niece is going to school and we know she will deffinetly be comming home in 3 months for the holidays. With that in mind as far as personal misc items we packed 3 months worth of toothpaste, mouthwash, toothbrushes, floss, shampoo, conditioner, styling products, sanitary products, bath wash, body lotion and deoderant. I packed her 3 months of Laundry detergent, fabric softner I got those combination sheets that I take when we go to Disney or camping I can't think of the name right now I'm sure someone on here knows. I know they are not the best but shes not great with her Laundry either so this will make it easier for her. She was instructed to pack her makeup and perfume as well as hair brushes, flat iron, blowdryer etc. We figure when she comes home we'll send her back with another 3 months worth of stuff and so on until she comes home. I know she can go buy these things for herself but honestly we don't want her to have to worry about it for the first year we'll taper her off slowly lol.

As for cold weather clothes if your from a warm climate buy her a set of silk long johns, they are so thin she can layer anything over them and won't feel bulky. Also its all in the art of layering. Don't buy dressy boots buy practical she'll thank you for it later like if shes going from class to class in icy rain or snow buy Bogs. Also she needs to learn to layer for cooler weather think turtleneck, sweater, jacket so if she gets warm she can take off layers. I also suggest making sure she has really good quality gloves, scarves and hats. Something nice pack her that she won't think about is a cold water bottle and a portable coffee mug. I did this for my niece and I added starbucks instant hot and cold coffee and some instant hot chocolate and apple cidar and a bunch of splenda packets and instant juice packets. Its nothing big but just a little something. I already am making a little package to send her for halloween with some treats in it.

For my niece this is her first time really being away from home for more then two weeks and I know she is a big mommy/daddys girl. So I figured a care package every few months will help to cheer her up.

We also prepurchased her return ticket for Winter break so she leaves knowing shes comming home.

Its so hard to see them go, but so exciting for them also.

Good Luck

Also you can buy those bed lifts and utilize the space under her bed.