<p>The weather is going to be such a big difference. I barely have any winter clothing. What are the necessities for a pleasant transition into college, in the midwest?</p>
<p>Be prepared to ditch the sandals and shorts for half of the year when you come up here. During the winter, I can get by on a hoodie and jeans, but it's not like I really go outside when it's cold anyway.</p>
<p>But a good wind breaker, gloves, and a thermal cap should be good. You're not coming to Antarctica after all. Just use some common sense and you should be fine.</p>
<p>When it cools down in winter, a hoodie/pullover should suffice.</p>
<p>I came from california as well and here's what I got my first semester:</p>
<ul>
<li>Windproof/waterproof outer jacket shell (e.g. North Face, patagonia, Columbia, etc.)</li>
<li>fleece jacket/pullover to layer with the shell</li>
<li>beanie</li>
<li>gloves preferably windproof/waterproof</li>
<li>thermal longjohns and shirts (I got these at the army surplus store in Ann Arbor)</li>
<li>waterproof boots </li>
<li>maybe a scarf</li>
</ul>
<p>haha...you'll need to ditch the sandals and shorts for all but like 2 months. but anyways, get a warm warm jacket and lots of sweaters/sweatshirts. i usually wear just a hoodie when i'm out in the winter, but that's because i'm only going back and forth to my car. since you're going to be walking outside a lot to get to classes, you'll definitely need warmer clothes. :-)</p>
<p>I'm from the east coast and I have two words for you: north face.</p>
<p>Where in southern CA?</p>
<p>Solana Beach, which is in San Diego County.</p>
<p>bring the beach and share it with us</p>
<p>Lol, ok so I live 20 mins away from the campus. It is the first week of April, 30 degrees and snowing. Plan accordingly. Oh, and it was 80 a week ago.</p>
<p>I actually have one word: Columbia.</p>
<p>Warm socks. (two words: Smart Wool)</p>
<p>You need a winter jacket...more than just a fleece. It can get really cold here, and being from southern california, you are going to want a big jacket. North Face.</p>
<p>Thermal Underwear??????????????????</p>
<p>North Face fleeces are extremely popular. You will have a couple monthes in Michigan before you will need to get lots of heavy duty winter stuff. It's popular to get a fleece, and then buy a shell that goes over it, so then you have a lot more variety for changing weather.</p>
<p>To describe the weather in Michigan... (especially this time of the year) it's not uncommon to go golfing and sledding on the same golf course in the same week. If you like sun, I'd suggest getting what I call "happy lamps" because you aren't going to see any sun for about 4-5 monthes strait. Gotta love the lake effect.</p>
<p>I'm guessing when they said thermal underwear they meant like long underwear, like silk material/hot chillys brand. You can wear them under jeans to keep you warmer while walking outside, and no one can really tell you have an extra layer on.</p>
<p>and by the way, the army surplus store closed awhile ago.
Go to a store called Bivouac on State Street off of the Diag when you get here, they'll have everything you need (costly, but worth it.)</p>
<p>I was born in Encinitas and we have family friends that went to Torrey Pines in Solana Beach. Maybe you went there too. I've grown up in Ann Arbor, and I'm getting the hell out of the cold/grey weather next year. Hopefully to North Carolina...</p>
<p>I love how people want to come to Michigan, but if you've lived here for more then 50% of your life you're desperate to get out!</p>
<p>
[quote]
I'm from the east coast and I have two words for you: north face.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>If you want to be viewed as a pompous a s s with more money than sense... although in full disclosure I do own a pair of North Face gloves that I bought on clearance. In any event, dressing in layers is key for cold weather, particularly for trekking across a college campus. Don't just wear some big honkin' poofy parka with a t-shirt underneath, as the cold tends to penetrate around jackets, since they aren't tight to your body. Plus, you can shed layers if it gets warmer in the afternoon than when you left for class in the morning.</p>
<p>I don't know.^^^ I've seen a lot of North Face and Columbia on campus. One great thing about NF is that it is truly guaranteed for life. A NF back pack purchased 6 years ago had some of its plastic buckles crack (carrying 50 lb of books can do that.) The comapny sent new straps and buckles. Then I sent it back because one of the seams was starting to fray. They repaired and reinforced the seams. So, yes, it was expensive to begin with. But if I had bought another brand, I would have had to replace it by now. Maybe twice.</p>