When I was done packing for my first semester of college, my childhood room looked like Griffiss Air Force Base after Woodstock ’99 (anyone else saw Trainwreck on Netflix?).
Lugging my bags onto the bus from Galway to Cork was an exhausting feat, but I wanted to take everything with me, “just in case”. However, within a week I realized I had taken too much, and the things I wasn’t using made my tiny college room feel even smaller.
So if you plan to bring everything and the kitchen sink with you for your first semester of college… don’t!
Pack strategically. How? Start by asking yourself these three questions…
1. What is the weather like?
Let’s get straight to the point: if you’re going to college in Ireland, you’ll need a raincoat. A sturdy umbrella, at the very least. Possibly both.
Remember: layers are your best friend. Your commute to work may require a comfy sweater and scarf, but there’s always one conference room that’s too hot. Put on a t-shirt under your sweater, so you can take off a layer during the most stifling classes.
2. What am I comfortable with?
If dressing up feels more like you, then go for it. But don’t forget about movie nights with your housemates and all-nighters at the library. Sweatpants, leggings, or hoodies, whatever you feel most comfortable in, will come in handy on those occasions.
For daily classes, if you feel comfortable in jeans, pack a good pair or two. I’ve always been more of a skirt person. If you’re like me, bring your go-tos (a versatile black one will serve you well, and a plaid skirt never goes out of style). Oh, and don’t forget the stockings.
3. How can I be more sustainable?
The best way to be sustainable is to use what you already have. If you have enough clothes to get you through the first week or two, consider putting off buying anything new until after that. By then, you’ll have a better idea of your new routine, and therefore what you’ll really want to wear for it.
For additions to the hours wardrobe, try out charity shops, swap shops, or secondhand apps (like Vinted or Depop) before you start browsing fast fashion websites. Upcycling old clothes is also a fun way to get creative with your style without negatively impacting the environment.
Read the full student special in the new issue of Hot Press, now in stores and available to order online below:
Source: www.hotpress.com