How can you fit your whole life into the backseat of a car? Too easy for you? Alright. What about a single checked suitcase?
Every August, hundreds of first-year students arrive on campus armed with the fraction of their worldly belongings that they’ve deemed necessary for survival over the course of a four-month semester. From fire-safe desk lamps to your favorite book, the contents of your room must be curated to fit into whatever mode of transportation you have selected (sorry to all international students). As an RA, I’ve helped three classes of first-year students move into the residence halls, assisted by generous student athletes who come lend us their strength. That’s right: if you go to U of R, the football team might unload your car!
To live, you’ll need a bunch of stuff. Check out this list for a helpful itinerary for your many Target trips. You know what’s not on the list? Clothes! As someone who owns a lot of clothes, and enjoys thrifting just a little bit too much, selecting which pieces will be staying home for the semester is tough. First-years have the additional challenge of not actually knowing what college will be like. I therefore present my guide on what to bring to campus in the clothing department, so you hopefully don’t end up doing laundry every other day just to have something clean and comfy to wear.
- Surviving the fluctuating ROC temperatures
To be so real with you, Rochester weather is kind of crazy. The end of August is usually sweltering, and by the time exams roll around you’ll be decked out in a full winter coat and snow boots. There’s also a secret: campus buildings are their own ecosystems with vastly different temperatures than the outside. In December, my sweater-wearing abilities are thwarted by the indoor heating unless I choose sweater thickness wisely. In September, you’ll want to be wearing a single layer (let’s go, school pride T-shirts!), except that the powerful air-conditioning will make your teeth start chattering in Hubbell Auditorium, Morey lounge, anywhere in Meliora Hall, and many more. The solution to this problem is layering. Every day, dress to adapt: a flannel or zip-up is your best friend to be able to rapidly modulate your ratio of body heat and outside influence. - Adapting to no dress code (or uniform)
I had a dress code all throughout middle school and high school: I couldn’t even wear sneakers to school! So when I had to pack clothes for college, my frame of reference was skewed and I ended up bringing a surprising amount of shiny, my-high-school-approved dress shoes. Why? I wonder about it too.Use your resources. Check out Tiktok or YouTube to see what people are wearing to college, and be mindful about what you’ll be doing during the day: I walk to all of my classes, so sandals are not the best option if I’m going to be out for 12 hours. - What do people really wear to lecture?
So many things. Someone’s usually coming straight from the gym in athletic gear, and some campus jobs and activities have rules for safety purposes: in my lab, I’m supposed to have closed-toe shoes and make sure my legs are fully covered in case of chemical exposure. So don’t worry too much about the fashion police, and wear what makes you feel comfortable and ready for the day. Most professors don’t wear suits while lecturing and there’s a chance they’ll show up in a T-shirt if they’ve got tenure and infinite job security. - On the Weekend…
…there’s things to do! During Orientation, there’s usually a big party in Feldman ballroom that you can dress up for if you want to. When you get older and turn 21, Rochester has plenty of bars that you might want to have a nice shirt to wear to. On the weekend, you could also explore local offerings such as the Lilac Festival nearby and get some cute pictures, or go out to see the Rochester Philharmonic play. - At least one fancy outfit
It’s fun to be fancy! If you join a Greek life organization, or any number of clubs that host a formal event (shoutout Theatre Formal <3), you’ll want something to be able dress up for the occasion. I typically bring two cocktail outfits to campus each semester, to be able to have at least one other option if there are constraints such as being outside, coordinating colors with friends, etc. It’s not prom, and I’ll usually be wearing Doc Martens instead of heels cause I want to be able to frolic, but bringing a little formalwear can go a long way to making your life easier if you get an unexpected invite.
And finally, the moment you’ve been waiting for: what I’ve worn! Pictured is a collage of outfits ranging from a toga party (that spare bedsheet was a great idea), to Halloween when my friend and I went as Alice in Wonderland and the White Rabbit, to when I visited the office of Rochester congressional representative. Joe Morelle in D.C.. Clothing is a big part of how I express myself, and I hope you’ll be able to let your personal style shine through while at Rochester!
