You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers — and here’s three sets of ‘em. Have a question of your own? We’ll be tackling as many questions as we can in upcoming articles, right up until move-in day. Send the question, your name, school and hometown to editor@northbynorthwestern.com.

I live in Texas and so cold weather is kind of a weird notion for me. So I was wondering how I should dress — what’s appropriate for temperature ranges, where I can get good jackets, how to layer properly, etc., because I plan on my buying my cold-weather stuff in Chicago, because Texas’s collection of jackets/coats is laughable.

–Sid Singh | Weinberg ‘12 | Dallas, Tex.

There are plenty of hot days, so don’t completely abandon your summer clothes. That said, as the weather gets cooler during Fall Quarter, you’ll need sweaters and jeans. Old Navy is already selling long-sleeve t-shirts in crew, scoop and v-neck and the Gap has a slightly longer tee specifically designed for layering. Put on a pair of jeans and pull a sweater over a t-shirt and you’re set for early October. Make that a wool sweater and add a scarf and fleece jacket for extra-cold days.

For more wind-resistant warmth, you’ll want a pea coat (fleeces wear out quickly and don’t stand up too well to Chicago’s infamous winds). A black pea coat is a great look for guys and girls, and is the perfect weight to keep you warm, but not hot, on a fall day. Jamie Winstead, a J.Crew store manager in Annapolis, Md., says pea coats should be in J.Crew stores by the end of August. What’s perfect for layering, Winstead says, is Thinsulate: a layer of insulation that, for an extra $20, you can add to your J.Crew pea coat.

A long down coat is essential for January and February. The most popular down coat for girls that you’ll see –- that is, if you can see through the whiteout blizzard conditions –- is the North Face Metropolis Parka. Amanda Heins, of North Face Public Relations, recommends the Trilithium Triclimate Jacket for the males.

But where to get your gear? Old Orchard Mall in Skokie is accessible by car and the Shop-n-Ride shuttle provided by the university. The shuttle also makes a stop at Target, which is a great place to find warm coats on a college student’s budget. For those less concerned with price tags, North Face has a store on Sherman Avenue just two blocks from South Campus.

One: how crazy will it be to actually get to my mail? I plan on shipping a bunch of boxes to myself, but I hear mail is crazy for the first few weeks and I’m worried I won’t be able to get mine immediately. And two: what’s the best place around Evanston to buy all my dorm stuff at? I just want to make one stop… so is Bed Bath and Beyond enough/is there a shopping center around that?

–Nancy Dong | Weinberg ‘12 | Potomac, Md.

Mail will of course be crazy during the first week, but the Residential Life office knows this and tries to staff the mail rooms accordingly. Make sure to send your stuff to arrive on Sept. 11 or later – otherwise it will be labeled the dreaded “return to sender.” Because only freshmen (with very few exceptions) will be moving in the first week, there won’t be much of a hassle or delay getting packages. Just make sure to label your boxes clearly with the correct address, dorm and room number.

Unless you plan on getting to Evanston before move-in day, we wouldn’t suggest trying to buy everything for your room in one place or in one day. All the other new students will be swarming the same stores, so the selection will be slimmer than usual — you might end up paying more than you need to for things you don’t really like. That being said, it is possible to get everything you’ll need in Evanston. Target, at 2209 Howard St., has everything, and tends to have a hip, well-designed college collection each year. Because everyone will end up here — 80 percent of Northwestern students said this is where they shopped for dorm stuff — consider going to a farther location if your parents have a car. The Target at 6150 W. Touhy Ave. is about 20 minutes away, but may be worth the trip, especially if you go early in the morning. You can also check out the Bed, Bath and Beyond, though the Old Orchard Mall is the easier and faster to get to by public transportation: just take the 201 bus.

Should I bring a bike? I’m afraid that I won’t be able to use it once it gets cold. Is there truth to that?
–Royer Bockus | Communication ‘12 | San Antonio, Tex.

Having a bike on campus isn’t a necessity, but it can be a huge help — especially if you plan on mingling or taking classes on the other end of campus. But is it even possible to ride your bike once the Arctic weather rolls in? Yes, although you have to be more careful. Campus Facilities Management does a pretty good job keeping the sidewalks clear of ice and snow, but, according to Aaron Hapke, it’s the road salt that takes a toll on your bike. Hapke, a mechanic at The Pony Shop, a bike store located at 1224 Chicago Ave., says that the most important thing for maintaining your bike in the winter is to clean it. “Clean the frame at least once a week,” he says. “Try to clean off the chain every day. You’ll probably end up having to replace the chain in the spring anyway, because road salt is really harsh.”

No matter the season, there’s more to know about bringing a bike than physically wheeling one up to your dorm. According to Assistant Chief of University Police Daniel McAleer, bike theft is an issue on campus, so bikes should always be locked up –- with both the frame and the front wheel secured. “We recommend the U-shaped or alloy-hardened lock,” says McAleer. “Chains can be easily cut.” Students can purchase a Kryptonite U-shaped lock at the University Police office, located at 1819 Hinman Ave. To further prevent trouble, McAleer advises that students familiarize themselves with city regulations. “If you’re riding in downtown Evanston,” he says, “you can’t ride on the sidewalk. There’s a city ordinance against it.”

So you’ve decided that you want to have a bike on campus but are concerned that it won’t fit in the car between your winter coats and mini-fridge… don’t panic! Norris Outdoors holds a used bike sale at least once Fall, Spring and Summer Quarter, at which students can purchase cheap bikes. Their Fall Quarter sale will be held in early October, although the exact date is yet to be set.

[Back to top]
[Back to intro]