<p>What are some clothing/shoes that are necessary during DC winters? Are rain boots needed? What other items would be helpful to bring? Thank you</p>
<p>My daughter said rainboots were a must for her.</p>
<p>I think rain boots are optional unless you like jumping in puddles, but warm, waterproof snow boots are a necessity (nothing worse than trudging through snow in an unlined rain boot–the cold goes right through), as are the usual cold weather items–warm coat or jacket, hat, gloves, scarf. The winters aren’t really harsh, but there will surely be a few snowstorms and some very cold days. Layers–jackets of varying weight, sweaters, etc.–will get you through the milder winter days. </p>
<p>Are you male or female? What kind of climate are you coming from? Keep in mind that it will be very hot and humid when you arrive in DC, and with plenty of shopping options, you can purchase clothing for the fall and winter once you’re there and see what others are wearing and what appeals to you. Shorts, tees and flip flops will do fine for quite a few weeks.</p>
<p>I am a female from California</p>
<p>My D used her rainboots quite often. Buy the bootliners (look like tall socks) and your feet will keep warm.</p>
<p>My D also uses rainboots with fleece liners. No snowboots, but the sidewalks are always plowed quickly. And lined leather gloves are nice.</p>
<p>You shouldn’t have to bring the rainboots with you. My D just bought some cheap ones at Target. You’ll find that you won’t have much room in your luggage anyway. Better to get them there or buy it online and get it shipped there. If you haven’t already, get Amazon prime with your AU email. The free shipping really saves a lot of money.</p>
<p>We’re from Hawaii so my D didn’t have a lot of cold weather clothes (or shoes!) and it was better for her to see what everyone was wearing and she just got things over there. Her dormmates helped her a lot.</p>
<p>The traction provided by the bottoms of real snow boots is nice if you are outside before the sidewalks are cleared or need to go to an area of DC that isn’t so good about snow removal. We have a pristine pair of gorgeous rainboots that D purchased and never wore once, so I guess that’s why I’m not all that enthusiastic about them! And of course if you invest in snow boots, it’s probably a sure thing that you’ll have an exceptionally mild winter. And if you don’t, you’ll be guaranteed Snowpocalyse II (referring to an insane snowstorm that occurred during my D’s freshman year).</p>
<p>Do students have tvs in their rooms or just use their laptops?</p>
<p>Some of the students bring TV’s for their dorm room, some don’t. It’s entirely their choice. My son brought a TV last year and he was happy that he did.</p>
<p>My daughter just watches Netflix or Amazon Instant Video on her laptop (others subscribe to Hulu). If there is a show she wants to catch, she watches it with others on the TV in the lounge. I think this has been fine for her. She really doesn’t have much time to watch TV anyway and she really doesn’t need the additional temptation or distraction.</p>