I’ve lived in Massachusetts my entire life, and the rumours are true: It. Gets. Cold.
That being said, with my twenty years of experience, I have a pretty good grasp on what’s necessary to make it through those frigid months. So, for all of our prospective, admitted, and current students, I’ve put together a list of my ten must-haves for the winter season. To be clear, this is not a sponsored post, just a list of what worked for me !
1. Winter Boots
These truly are a necessity for making it through the winter here. We have a tendency to get quite a bit of snow during the winter, sometimes up until April. Therefore, a good pair of boots is definitely a worthwhile investment. Personally, I have a pair of Timberland boots, which I absolutely love. I got them soon after a walk to Pforzheimer House soaked through my previous pair of boots. I got mine on Amazon, but any pair of boots will do!
2. Platform Shoes
Sometimes, though, the boots just aren’t the vibe I’m going for. I like to switch things up with some platform shoes. When the snow starts to pile up, it’s important to keep your feet as far as possible from the cold, wet slush when you're running late to class in one of the CGIS Buildings or heading to meet a friend for a meal in Annenberg. I’m a tried and true converse girlie, so I’ve been rocking my Platform Converse since Junior Year of high school, but they’re still holding up today!
3. Gloves
Protect. Your. Hands. There is nothing more miserable than having the cold biting at your fingers when you’re just trying to get to class. To cut my defrosting time in half, I invested in some good gloves. I’d definitely recommend getting leather ones (real or faux) to keep your hands both warm and dry. I got ones like these so I could still use my phone while outside!
4. Earmuffs
I got my first pair of earmuffs this past winter, and they were a life changer! I started wearing them in the fall and kept up with them until spring. Not only are they super cute, but they protect your ears from the biting cold (and also keep my AirPods in!) I got mine from TJMaxx, but this pair is super similar.
5. GOOD Jacket
I feel like this is a no brainer, but a jacket is probably the best purchase to make. One thing I love about attending here is that the school offers a Winter Coat Fund to help cover the cost of winter gear for those who hadn’t needed any before. There are so many affordable options for coats, and there’s no need to pay an arm and a leg to keep yourself warm. Take this from someone who’s $40 coat has lasted over 4 years!
6. Vaseline
When the wind starts picking up and the temperature drops, your lips will definitely feel it first. It’s super important to stay hydrated, and use some lip balm to lock in that moisture. I’ve been using Vaseline my whole life, but the travel-sized containers definitely come in clutch while out and about.
7. Throw Blanket
After those long days outside, there is no better feeling than cozying up in your room with a nice, fluffy blanket. Whenever I would sit down to work on my homework, the first thing I would do would be to grab my favourite blanket before I got to work. Something soft and fluffy will always warm you up just enough.
8. Tea
I’m not sure if this is the case for everyone, but I always catch a cold every winter, so it’s quite common to catch me drinking some tea. Even for those who have stronger immune systems, a good cup of tea works wonders in warming you up from the inside out. Luckily for us, all of the dining halls have a full stock throughout the seasons!
9. Umbrella
Surprisingly, our winters aren’t always full of snow. Especially recently, we have had quite a bit of rain, which is why an umbrella is essential. There is no worse feeling than being cold and wet, so you have to use an umbrella for that extra layer of protection.
10. A Good Friend
Honestly, the best way to make it through these cold months is to surround yourself with the people that make you feel warm inside. I truly don't think I would have made it through these winters without the best people by my side.
