Regional things a student should know

[UCDAlum82]

In another thread talking about what to do before sending your child off to college it was mentioned that if the child is heading to California teach them earthquake preparations and what to do if caught in a riptide. Being a life long Californian, that peaked my interest, as we were taught that at a very young age.

However, my Californian is off to Vermont. What types of environmental things should I warn her about for that area? (Other than snow, which I tried to show her, but on our Feb visit to New England it was balmy...)

[noimagination]

Not that I'd call VT terribly cold, but this is pretty basic info.
CDC Winter Weather | A Prevention Guide to Promote Your Personal Health and Safety

For those going to school in the Midwest or South:
Tornado Safety (Online Tornado FAQ)

[IloveLA]

Watch out for moose (mooses? meese?) on the highway.

[Classof2015]

Moose, deer, and if she'll be driving at all during the winter, tell her to take it slow.

[Lergnom]

The importance of layers, meaning a windproof shell and fleece or something under. The importance of waterproof boots.

Wear tights. An essential warmth layer that also looks good. She will learn the worth of hats.

Some VT schools are more plaids and some are more prep while some are more bohemian in dress.

[ucbalumnus]

If near an international border that one may cross to visit, get a passport. Vermont has a border with Québec, Canada (not far from Montréal), so French language knowledge as well as a passport may be useful if one wants to visit.

Vermont is 94% white; some people from California might think such demographics to be not what they are used to.

[katliamom]

My Colorado kiddo didn't "get" east coast humidity.
Was amazed how important it was to keep the cereal box closed. Or how long it took to dry clothes in the dryer. She found towels especially frustrating, so over Christmas break she bought quick-dry backpacking towels and left the fluffy thick cotton ones at home.

She was also amazed that in the east, rubber boots was something you can wear year-round. In our parched climate, she never owned any.

[UCDAlum82]

She already packed her rubber boots (in an early box to be taken to my uncle's Vermont house for summer storage.) She certainly won't need them here this summer. I'll have to make sure she has her passport. For awhile she was considering college in Canada. Loves the country, and is pretty good at French.

The deer, not that surprising. She dodges deer daily on her way to the barn.

And yes, the 94% white will be an eye opener. She mentioned she's required to take a class in diversity. And chuckled.

I remember chatting with an student at the med school at Stanford. He was from California, and studying away in the 4th week of school. Meanwhile, his buddies were still spending their afternoons playing frisbee. He asked if they ever buckled down and studied. They answered sure, as soon as it started to get too cold for frisbee. He informed them it was never too cold for frisbee in California. So for those waiting for the cold to start to buckle down and study in California, give it up, it's not coming.

[mathinokc]

If your student is moving from an area that gets lots of snow/ice in winter to one that gets less, teach them that if it does snow/ice then they can't react like they're at home. Salting/sanding/plowing happens on a different time frame/scale in areas that get less winter weather. Other drivers aren't as familiar with driving in those conditions. If the TV says Stay Home, then do it, even if it would be a joke where you grew up.

[Hunt]

Laconic Vermonters.

[Agentninetynine]

Buy her the warmest/lightweight coat you can find. Lands End has good sales. It's going to be a big transition so be sure she has the requisite gloves, scarves, boots, etc. I also recommend long underwear and good socks.

And I second the layering suggestion!

[jym626]

Definitely plan to take a drive to see the leaves change in the fall. Spectacular.

[fieldsports]

Keep your feet and neck warm and dry in the winter if you don't want to get sick. The stuff in the LLBean catalog is there for a reason. The current popularity of pashminas is a good thing for females in the northeast. Wish I'd had them years ago.

People's driving in VT and NH can look a little funny in the summer. They take their corners wide and slow. She will find out why by November if she is driving.

The roads tend to have wide shoulders, to leave somewhere to put the snow, and in the warmer months it can be really nice for bicycling.

[mathmom]

Another regional thing is the level of outgoing friendliness expected. Take cues from the natives. Some places will expect a hearty greeting from strangers others are fine if you just glower at them.

There are places that expect "Yes ma'am" and "Yes sir" others that don't and you would be considered weird using those phrases.

Black ice is not a joke.

[PinotNoir]

In tornado areas, don't worry too much about tornado watches - they issue them often, just whenever conditions are right to possible lead to a tornado. But take tornado warnings seriously - it means one has actually been spotted.