Freshman Year 101: Changing Seasons—Winter Outside, Summer Inside
Remember those first weeks of school, when it was 90°F outside and the AC was blasting arctic cold air into the classrooms? Ah, those were the days. But now Father Winter has sighed sleepily in his hibernation and sent a cold front crashing into us, and suddenly we’re shivering outside and melting inside.
If there is one truth about Wesleyan, it is this: When it’s hot outside, the buildings are freezing*; when it’s cold outside, the buildings are sweltering.
(*Freezing is a relative term. I, personally, am always cold.)
We are now faced with the dilemma of whether to dress appropriately for the ten minutes we spend outside getting to classes or for the hour-long stints we spend in the classroom. Here’s what I recommend:
Layers!
Let’s start from the bottom and work our way up.
1. Long Pants: Long pants rarely cause me to overheat, but their absence can make me freeze. When I wear skirts or dresses in cold weather, I always add a pair of leggings. Knee high boots can also add an extra layer of insulation.
2. Short-Sleeved Shirt: Because classrooms become saunas when the heat gets turned on, I usually wear short-sleeved shirts and blouses, and layer with a sweater. That way, if I get too hot, I can take off the sweater and be more comfortable. It can be a hassle to push or roll up the sleeves on a long-sleeved shirt.
2. Sweater/Jacket: I have sweaters and jackets of varying weights, but for winter at Wesleyan, I usually wear light or medium-weight sweaters. While most classrooms get unbearably warm, some remain a little chilly (or sometimes you are instructed to open the window next to you and you slowly turn into an icicle while the rest of the room enjoys the cool breeze). The sweater/jacket can be easily removed if you get hot, and it can add an extra layer of insulation when you venture back outside.
3. Coat: As with my sweater and jackets, I have coats of varying weights. You know what works for you in what weather, so I won’t say much about this—except to remind you that sometimes your cutest coat is not your warmest. Make good choices!
4. Scarf/Hat/Gloves: These are the best cold weather accessories, especially here on campus. They can be easily added, removed, and stored as you move from one environment to the next, and if you are the kind of person who would rather not wear a jacket under your coat, a scarf can become a wrap or a shawl if you find you’re getting chilly in the classroom.
Best of luck, freshpeople!