<p>I will be purchasing my plane ticket soon to head on over to Cambridge. I live in Southern California though so my clothes may not be the best for when I get there. Would it be best to buy my clothes when I arrive at Harvard? I heard that it doesn't get too cold until late September and October, giving me ample time to add to the items I'll be bringing. Or should I buy my clothes now and try to fit as much as I can in a suitcase? Advice would be great since I've lived in SoCal too long. Thanks! Quick question, am I given access to a gym at harvard even if I don't participate in sports?</p>
<p>Re: gym. Yes you have access to most athletic facilities once you get your Harvard ID.</p>
<p><a href=“http://recreation.gocrimson.com/recreation/membership/undergraduate”>http://recreation.gocrimson.com/recreation/membership/undergraduate</a></p>
<p>This is an all-inclusive packing list. Feel free to edit to your own needs.</p>
<p><a href=“A to Z: What To Bring To College - College Life - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-life/82285-a-to-z-what-to-bring-to-college-p1.html</a></p>
<p>If you’re from SoCal, the probability that your stores have what you need to survive a NE winter is slim. Wait until you get to Cambridge. Some fleece tops will get you through in the interim. Internet shopping is also your friend.</p>
<p>I came from Texas and I waited until freshman parents’ weekend to get good winter clothes; my parents came and helped me buy good coats, boots, scarves, etc. Even if your parents aren’t planning to visit then, I’d say that you’re totally fine to wait until you’re settled into your dorm to think about getting winter clothes. (: </p>
<p>Good luck! </p>
<p>Thank you both for the advice!</p>
<p>I would suggest you bring as much clothing as you can that you believe will be appropriate. Certain basics like rain boots, fleece tops or jackets a windbreaker and water proof jacket will enable you to layer and get pretty deep into October before you need the really warm clothing.
There is a Patagonia outlet in Dillon Montana that has excellent monthly sales on their clothing. Check them out online for reasonably priced top notch clothing.</p>
<p>Eastern Mountain Sports has a store in Cambridge about 100 yds from the main gate to the freshman yard. It has a great selection of everything you will need for Boston winter, but as the above poster noted you’d be wise to show up with a fleece and a waterproof coat.</p>
<p>Re: suitcases</p>
<p>When I moved to New Haven, I actually used only moving boxes because they hold more and I could throw them away when I arrived instead of having to store a bunch of luggage. The airlines really don’t care and it’s super convenient. I bought a bunch of winter apparel while it was on sale in the summer and then put it in space bags and shipped it over in boxes. I think the airline I was on only charges like $25 per bag, so it really wasn’t expensive to fly and it was way more convenient to just pull my coats out when it started to get chilly than to have to go shopping like a couple of my suitemates did.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone for the advice. I will go out to purchase the recommended items. Quick question though, a friend of a relative stated I should consider a waterproof backpack for walking between classes if rain or snow should fall. Is getting your papers (and laptop) wet inside your backpack really a concern?</p>
<p>True water proof backpacks are hard to find. Something you can do that will be easier and less expensive is either to put items that can be damaged by water in either plastic bags or purchase a "dry sack’ that you can use as a liner foe the inside of your entire backpack. EMS will have dry sacks.</p>