7 Winter Essentials for University Students

When you’re packing for university in the fall, it’s easy to forget how cold the winter can be. Fortunately, you can still stay warm by purchasing the following basic essentials.

1. Thermal Gloves

Having the right gloves can make a huge difference in your comfort level while walking outside. Basic fabric gloves allow the cold in and take long to dry if they get wet. Thermal gloves, however, keep you warm in any temperature due to the layers of material. They are particularly useful if you need to use your hands outdoors, such as when working or playing sports. Plus, many types work with a touchscreen, meaning you can continue to use your phone without needing to remove them.

2. A Waterproof Jacket or Coat

An important piece of outerwear is a waterproof jacket — or even a long coat, which can be great in particularly bad weather, as your thighs will stay covered as well. Choose one you can roll up and keep in your backpack to put over your regular jacket whenever the weather is wet. Many styles come with plenty of big pockets, which may even save you from needing to take a bag with you to university at all.

3. A Scarf

The great thing about a scarf is it’s a fashion item and it keeps you warm. It’s worth having several scarves to match different outfits.

4. Thick Socks

Don’t forget about your feet when shopping for winter clothing. After all, it’s hard to focus in class if your feet are frozen from the snow. When it comes to socks, the thicker and the fluffier, the better. Best of all, since they’ll be hidden in your shoes most of the time, you can choose wild colours and patterns for a little extra fun.

5. A Hat

Now that you’re all wrapped up, just your head is exposed. Cold weather can give you a headache and cover your head in snow, meaning you’ll be wet and uncomfortable once you make it inside. For this reason, a hat is a necessity even for times when you’ll be outside only a few minutes. Choose one that covers your ears to stop them from freezing.

6. Hand Warmers

A solution other than clothing to fight the cold is hand warmers. They’re great if you’ll be outside for an extended period of time. Heat them up by shaking them and then put them in your pockets or gloves to keep your hands warm for up to 10 hours. It’s worth keeping a pack with you at all times, as you never know when you may need one.

7. Hot Cocoa

When you return home at the end of the day, nothing is more comforting than a drink of hot cocoa. Keep a supply in your kitchen for when you need it — the friends you invite over will definitely appreciate this! For a real treat, have some marshmallows on hand, too.

One of the worst things about the winter is the cold trek to campus, especially if you live some distance away or need to wait at a bus stop. For students who live at West Village Suites, though, this is not an issue: our McMaster student housing is less than 5 minutes from campus. Plus, utilities are included in your rent, meaning there’s no need to worry about an expensive heating bill. Take one of our virtual tours to check out the facilities.