Watching “fresh-meat” roll onto campus thinking they are unnoticeable with their IDs and dorm keys hanging on their lanyards wrapped around their neck. Strutting the halls with their freshly picked outfit, while eyeing the new man candy wearing the tight khakis. It takes you back to the juvenile days of starting college, doesn’t it?
Remembering the weeks, days, even hours before you shoved all your necessary items into your first dorm room. Dropping money on a new and improved wardrobe filled with replicated outfits you saw on your friend’s older sister’s Instagram. Your first impression means the world and everyone has to, at the very least, slightly notice the special ensemble you had been craving to break out and wear on your first day of classes. These skin crawling excitements find their tingling expectations to roll into a downfall caused by missing your seventh alarm, shrinking that shirt you had to wear today in the dryer yesterday, and no one can forget the weather changing more than a preteen starting her period.
The freshman mind set evolves from the cutest of clothes bought to mimic Pinterest closets into an athletic shorts masterpiece topped with that overlarge t-shirt you stole from that boy a few nights back and sandals (substitute shoes with chacos, jacks, or tennis shoes depending on personal preference). Don’t worry naïve freshmen, we’ve been there and done that. Thoughts of whether or not you should try to impress that hottie in your 9 o’clock or save your outfit for Friday night’s festivities. Well ladies, save your best dress because in class it’s you and the books, and they don’t care what you wear to the classroom. To help you prep for the first semester of your first year of college (and to those girls that still tend to wear their perfect outfits to 8 o’clock class, p.s. we loathe you), we have put together a quick checklist to ensure that you are classroom ready and strut your stuff to and through our halls:
1. Learn to check the weather when you wake.
For all the newbies, Boone is known for its bipolar weather that can contain all the weather elements within one day (yes, I mean rain, sleet, hail, snow, sunshine, etc.). Help prevent yourself from having to come back to your room soaked or sweating this year and check that heavenly weather app. Not just the overall day’s forecast, BUT hour-by-hour to see where you’ll be and whether or not you’ll need to pack a rain jacket (smart to keep one on you at all times, trust me).
2. Finding your trust in headgear.
Bad hair days happen to the best of us, on the worst day. No fear, because you can find comfort in hiding your “I was up until 4 a.m. then missed the alarm” hair look for the 9 a.m. class under a hat. Whether it be a cute beanie in the winter, or a ball cap (starting a nice collection from old boyfriends is a must ladies), keep a few hats on hand.
3. Footwear is the only thing that truly separates the crowd.
The popular shoe here in the high country is anything quick and comfortable to walk uphill in (because even if your walking back from class, it’s still up hill). So ladies, try not to pick a heel that is going to have everyone singing timber when you fall past them. Be smart and allow yourself a chance against the hills of Boone.
4. The power of a book bag.
Take advantage of your book bag. One can turn their book bag into a gym bag, purse, lunch box, and more. There are multiple creative ways to use your book bag on and off campus. Try to avoid being a multitasker and carry both your purse and your book bag. Place the items in your purse within your book bag to help you keep up with one less thing this school year.