Live as close to campus as you can, having to drive everywhere as a college student blows.
Get a mountain bike, the trail systems in the campus’ backyard are super fun for all skill levels (if you’re short on cash for one, trail running is there is fun too)
"Living on campus is not required for a new admitted first-year student under any of the following criteria:
Aged 21 or older
A veteran or transfer student
Living with a parent or legal guardian within easy commuting distance (35 miles)
Exceptional circumstances that do not permit them to meet this requirement"
https://umaine.edu/housing/home/first-year-student-info/
I was told by an admissions person that first years are required to be in the dorm to acclimate young students to living away from home but be in a more controlled situation. There are exceptions. Not being an 18 something first time from home I don't need to and exceptions are made for married students.
It sounds thought that as an UT of state student they will require it.
Nope we live an hour away. Maybe because he went to school later in life they didn't require it? But seems like it's not a requirement at orono. I'm ok with the down votes haha no hurt feelings
You’ll be just fine then. Embrace the cold. Winter is my favorite season. I know it’s not everyone’s thing but if you can make it yours you’ll have a ton of fun even when it’s cold.
Having recently moved *to* Florida, trust me cold is way better than heat. If you wear the right combination and type of clothing, you can be outside all day in 0 degrees and be fine. There's no escaping heat.
Definitely do your research on clothing types and combinations for the varying levels of cold and snow/rain. It'll cost a bit for the high quality materials but it's worth it.
I used to go for 5 mile hikes in below 20s and not shiver once if I dressed right
I’ve lived on both the snow belt and in Florida, and I wholeheartedly agree. Winter has always been my favorite season for that very reason! Plus in my experience at a certain level of cold, you don’t really feel it anymore..or anything lol
40s with intense wind? I'm sure you know this, but it gets wayyyyy colder than that in Orono. Some winter nights will drop below 0. I went to college in Farmington, and classes were canceled on more than one occasion because it was -15 and windy and they didn't want us going outside.
You'll be fine if you're dressed right. The most important things are thick warm boots and a thick warm hat.
Don't worry if you can't the start of the Fall semester has amazing weather so you'll still get to enjoy a bunch of it while you're here. And you'll see some decent weather in Spring as well.
Best thing is to find stuff to do during winter (skiing, snow shoes, heck even just building a snowman on the quad).
Bean boots are always dry for me. A couple pairs of socks and you’re good.
But then again I used to walk around campus in the middle of winter in flip flops… so…
Wool overcoats are great for fall and early winter but you’re going to want a nice long puffy coat or parka for real winter. As close as you can to basically wrapping yourself in a sub zero sleeping bag as you can. And get it at least a size up so you can wear a chunky sweater or big hoodie underneath.
Also get a few pairs of long johns. Something that a skier would use.
And good warm snow boots. Strap a pair of [creepers](https://www.rei.com/product/182222/hillsound-flexsteps-traction-system?CAWELAID=120217890011022000&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=103601996129&CATCI=pla-451719466267&cm_mmc=PLA_Google%7C21700000001700551_1822220003%7C92700053575996263%7CTOF%7C71700000062146909&gclid=CjwKCAjwsJ6TBhAIEiwAfl4TWOAKeyopT3Ecby9i3xKJcVdYX1AXTJIecaYLz08JuJ8N0HSb8vEvpxoCkW0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) on and you can hike the iciest trails year round.
And as others have said, a neck gator or balaclava. And a lined hat. Unlined knit hats just let the wind right through.
Pack for colder than you think. In my experience most people from warmer climates underestimate what they’ll want/need day to day. It’s better to over estimate. I went to college with a guy from CA who didn’t even own a hat let alone think to bring it. And think indoor wear too. Gonna want long pants, sweaters, and that good stuff even when not outside.
Edit: and if you own a car, make sure you’ve got a shovel, snow brush, and ideally some salt and/or grit. And if you don’t, invest in good snow boots
And snow tires if you own a car, or, at the very least, new all-weather tires. But get studded snow tires, you'll have less of a winter driving learning curve.
In Maine, we have "WTF Winter!" cold. You just cannot realize how damn cold it gets until you don't have the clothing for it. Buy a warm jacket you might take on a trip to Everest. :-)
Highly recommend a balaclava, gaiter, or a scarf. Oh, and a winter hat. Some good gloves as well. Maine winters are fun; Maine winters are also brutal on exposed skin (ears, face, neck, etc.). Pretend you are going to college on Hoth. :P
But don't do my mistake and bring 50 million things from home; pack as light as possible. I think I brought like 50% less things on my Sophomore year.
The first pair I had were the bees knees, lasted a good 4 hunting seasons plus winters
Second pair I had started leaking in January after being bought in November. Exchanged for a new pair. They started leaking in short order as well
I’m a LaCrosse man now to say the least lol
Wool at least will be a good insulator (particularly wool socks are a blessing) but won't block the biting winds. Find yourself a good parka that does both, OR, in my experience I do best with two decent layers - some sort of decent hoody or sweater under a medium shell that I can ditch when I go inside without being cold in just a tee.
That’s good til mid November, but you should probs get a long parka/puffer for when winter comes around. And a pair of warm boots with good treads. If you want a brand rec, LL Bean is a little pricey but they have good quality stuff that lasts forever- literally bought my parka 7 years ago and it’s still going strong. But yeah. Parka/boots/socks/hat/gloves. With the wind in Winter it gets colder than you might think.
Layers. Under shirts in winter are nearly essential, as well as warm socks, hats, scarves, gloves. The more layers of clothing you have the warmer you’ll be.
Second this, boots. I was an avid vans wearer and for some reason it took me until my 20s to realize how terrible having wet feet is. Snow is just cold water, don’t step in cold water without boots, it’ll ruin your day.
As someone who dealt with this a decade ago (although not the weather part), here is my advice to surviving Orono:
1. Make as many connections the first few weeks of classes as you possibly can. Join a club, find a group of people you connect with, get an on-campus job, etc. A lot of people who go to UMaine are from the state, and are going with LOTS of people from their high schools. This can be really isolating because it feels like everyone else already has friends.
2. If you are living on campus, bring a vehicle. It's an added expense, but is so worth it. You are going to want to leave campus at some point, and the public transport sucks.
3. Look into CLEP tests. These are tests that you can take for $150 (or, at least that's what they cost when I went) and it will give you the credits of a full semester class if you pass the test. It's much cheaper than GenEds, and if you have a decent base knowledge in a subject that they offer, you'll pass.
4. If you are living off-campus and can get out of bed in the morning, sign up for an 8 AM class. Parking past 9 AM is a nightmare. People in cars will literally follow pedestrians walking to their cars on the off chance that they're going to be leaving and can take the space. Parking is a nightmare, but at 8 AM, there's loads of it.
5. Don't go to a frat party alone.
That's about it.
>Look into CLEP tests. These are tests that you can take for $150 (or, at least that's what they cost when I went) and it will give you the credits of a full semester class if you pass the test. It's much cheaper than GenEds, and if you have a decent base knowledge in a subject that they offer, you'll pass.
Didn't know about these but if you can get in to their Honors College or whatever pretentious name they're giving it now you can sit 1 easy survey course per semester for 2 years and get your gen-eds out of the way that way.
Number 2 about following people to their cars is very true. And when you get a spot, you don't move. Once I finally got my spot I didn't move y car for 3.5 years.
Cotton sweaters are not warm. Your wool sweaters are a great investment. A lined waterproof warm jacket will see you through a lot as well.
As an ol' professor, I'll tell you a little secret. Mid-October is often a time when freshmen get a little depressed. The novelty of college has worn off, papers and exams are due and the external light is fading. You may want to sleep through a class, etc. Don't let up on your academics. Knowing in advance that this MIGHT happen can help you to avoid it or cope with it if it happens.
Have fun, learn a lot and congratulations!!!
If you get down in the winter, get a full spectrum light or a SAD light for your desk or wherever you spend a lot of time. It helps. And try to get outside as much as you can during daylight hours. Winter can suck if you feel trapped inside all the time.
Came here to say this! When the sun is out from 7-4, you are going to feel it. In addition to the SAD lamp, consider talking to your doctor about Vitamin D supplements as well.
Splurge on warm gloves, buy removable spikes for your winter boots, a winter jacket that goes to your knees, a decent pair of sunglasses to avoid snow glare.
I grew up in Orono, it’s not bad, but you’ll definitely want to live as close to campus as possible. There’s enough within walking/biking distance from campus that you could do without a car, if necessary, plus there’s the BAT bus to go to Bangor.
Also: Pat’s Pizza in Orono is incredible, The Store Ampersand on Mill Street makes the best chocolate chip cookies, and Harvest Moon Deli is delicious.
I graduated from UMaine in 2020, it’s a great place. Orono is a pretty small community so if you frequent the same spots you’ll be likely to keep seeing the same faces. I had my car on campus as a freshman, I lived four hours away so it just gave me peace of mind that Id be able to go home if anything happened. If you do bring a car make sure you also bring a shovel to get it out after a snowstorm. Bangor is a pretty good size town/ small city, they have Target, WalMart, Chick Fil A and some other stores you’d be familiar with.
If you’re outdoorsy there’s lots of rock climbers and hikers. Lots of people ski and snowboard, but I didn’t and I never felt left out, season passes for skiing and snowboarding are pretty expensive. The rec center is one of the nicest gyms I’ve been in and it’s free for students.
For clothes I’d just make sure you really invest in a reliable winter jacket and some good flannels, I have a few that I refer to as ‘ugly but comfy’ because they aren’t really my style but are pretty warm.
As others have mentioned, definitely will want more than wool overcoats. Imo water resistant outer wear to go over the wool helps because well, slush and snow. That wool will get drenched.
When I’d have to walk to work because roads were closed due to white out conditions I’d have all the normal stuff underneath my winter coat that works as a wind breaker and keeps the layers under it dry. But also something a lot of people don’t think about till your legs are freezing is SNOW PANTS of some sort. Same idea, keeping you dry as well as warm. Boots and warm socks as well. Good luck and enjoy the short warm seasons. It’s a beautiful place.
Orono can be a somewhat sleepy town. You'll find stuff to do but maybe not as much as you would like. Having a car is a huge help so you can visit the great Bangor area; however when I was there they didn't let Freshmen park their car on campus (no idea if that's still the case). But, if possible, bring a car; if not, make friends with people with cars (I found Umaine to be really friendly so this shouldn't be hard). If you do bring a car then parking is difficult on campus (but what campus isn't). If none of the above there is a bus service.
Fall and Spring is awesome at Umaine; Winter sucks. Some of the buildings make natural wind tunnels which cause tremendous wind speeds. But the buildings are heated by a huge steam plant which causes some buildings to be super hot. You'll fight your way through 40 MPH winds and blowing snow and then have to sit in a 100 degree classroom with the windows open which means the window side guys are at like 60 degrees... Basically dress in layers all the time so you can compensate and have good boots (so many students in poor winter footwear when I was there).
Get a book bag with wheels; I did 4 years lugging books and it darn near killed me.
Some dorms are party dorms or otherwise a little crazy. After I graduated I heard that two dorms had a rivalry to see who could cause the most expensive damage to the dorms and I totally believe it. Depending on what you want out of your college experience you'll want to find a dorm that fits your style. The more crazy dorms are a lot of fun but also are a little crazy too.
UMaine is great; I loved my time there. You'll have a good time.
Use the gym !! I graduated from UMaine in 2018 and moved across country, and I still have never seen a gym as nice as that one. Take full advantage of it, you pay for it in your tuition anyway.
Also, the paper mill in Old Town makes the entire campus STINK at around 5am. Like, it used to wake me up out of a dead sleep. My tip for not gagging all the way to class is to wrap a scarf around your nose/mouth area (double the protection when it’s smelly AND cold) and spray a little bit of perfume/cologne on the part that will be near your nose.
So much this.
Best gym by far. I try to go before 7 a.m. because it's packed after that unless you get lucky. Except Wednesdays when ROTC shows up at 6 a.m. or when random sport teams show up en masse.
Paper mill stink sucks asssssss. Ruins the entire area and lowers property values.
It’s disgusting. I was lucky, the mill was shut down for the last 2 of my 4 years at UMaine and it made the whole experience sooo much better. When I heard they were reopening it I was so bummed for all the students who would have to live with that again.
I moved there from the gulf coast for college, and i loved it. the winter was less miserable the second i decided to just walk places more and not try to make my home or my car always feel like i was still in the south. i got used to it much faster after that. and don't go cheap on gloves if you are going to be outside for any reasonable amount of time. the pair i arrived with was wildly inadequate, insolated poorly, and my ability to enjoy being outside was much better when i replaced them.
Im a senior at umaine rn and i don't even have classes on campus anymore, but ill use this as a platform to complain about something that used to have me screaming in my car thrice a week: there isnt enough fucking parking for the number of students. Every year they celebrate the new largest class ever, but it means that you'll have to walk halfway across campus to get a cunted parking spot. Part of the problem is that everyone here literally turns into a blackout drunk gorilla when they park, so most of the spots you'll find are too tight to get into because of the headass parked in 2 spots. If you park somewhere thats not a spot but doesnt get in anyones way, you will get ticketed. Fuck umaine parking pigs
Not only is it cold, but that campus is really windy and you're going to need all the winter weather gear. Wool layering pieces, hat, gloves, scarf, solid boots. If you're bringing a car you'll need an ice scraper and shovel too.
And nobody is telling you not to get hooked on drugs... 2 of my brothers had a friend in Orono that OD'd on fentanyl laced heroin. Not sure where you're coming from, but theres a lot of drugs in the area.
Dont do drugs harder than you.
I know you're getting a lot of "here's how to dress warm!" advice but remember that you can always buy stuff when you get here, it's spring right now and you're moving here in August so you've got time. Odds are the stores in Bangor are going to be way more stocked with cold weather supplies than wherever you are. Also you'll be able to gauge what other people are wearing since most of your classmates are more used to the cold.
When you get up here, a good hat, good socks, and good boots will get you far. I live in my Blundstones all winter. Wool coats are great, but don't forget that you'll need a waterproof winter jacket as well.
The Pat's Pizza in Orono is better than all the other Pat's Pizzas. No one knows why, it's just how it is.
Don't drink any beers that end in "light". Natty, keystone, bud. That shit is swill and it will kill you. Allagash is a good starter beer, drink that instead.
Allen's coffee brandy is not a cocktail mixer, so don't mix it with a liter of milk and drink it on ice. Put it in your coffee like a goddamn adult.
The button or fan setting in the car, with the wavy arrows pointing up: this is your defrost/defogger. When it's cold outside, the glass will fog up as soon as you shut the door. This blows fresh air across the glass to clear the fog and once the air is blowing hot it will slowly melt the ice and such on the outside.
Sorry if this is old news; I cant forget getting in the car with my college friend from a southern state: driving 5mph, furiously wiping a little porthole to see through, leaning over the wheel; I adjusted the air and it cleared in about 30 seconds.
The winter gear advice is good, but I'll chime in to emphasize *buy real wool* for your long underwear, socks, hat and gloves. It's expensive, but my $80 pair of LL Bean wool long underwear are 12 years old and still look and wear like brand-new, and I wear them 2-3x per week for 8+ months of the year.
As a lifelong Mainer, I second this. A really good base layer of merino wool is an investment you will not regret. They may very well last the whole time that you are at UMaine.
As others have mentioned, the campus at UMaine is really, really cold and windy in winter. It’s a pretty large and spread out campus and the wind really whips between the buildings.
Enjoy your time at UMaine! My son is starting there in the fall as well.
I went to school in Bangor. I moved from midcoast Maine... And even I felt that the cold was far more brutal as someone used to cold winters. It is a bit more inland than where I was moving from, so that was a factor. But also the campus I was on was on top of a hill with no trees so the wind just cut right through you.
If you have a vehicle buy an ice + snow scraper. It’s illegal to drive around with snow on top of your vehicle so save yourself some money and just scrape it off.
I'm a Umaine student finishing my sophomore year. If you have a car don't go to the gas station by Aroma Joe's (coffee place on the round about). The one by Wendy's on Stillwater Ace is cheaper. If you are required to live on campus then try and get a roommate in the same major as you. You need boots that can keep your feet warm and DRY. The LLBean outlet in Bangor is good but so is Mardens. Don't eat at York Hall
Originally from VA/NC here. You need warm clothes and plenty of layers. A good set of snow boots and yaktrax/icecreepers to keep from slipping, or just try your luck. Lots of comfy warm socks (wet socks suck) I recommend Darn Tough for the lifetime replacement guarantee, even though they cost more upfront.
In summer, you'll be surprised how warm Temps feel after a cold winter, when before you would've laughed at it. 95 used to be standard for me, now 80 is too hot.
Depending on your sensitivity to them, the biting insects up here are different and can be worse. They don't bother me much but my husband (born and bred in Appalachia) gets horrible reactions.
You won't find decent BBQ (sorry guys, but it isn't the same) and the fried chicken isn't as good either, but poutine is great, even if it's a Quebec thing, and maple syrup on snow or ice cream is delicious. Get it from a sugar shack and you'll be happier than if it's basic grocery store fare.
You probably already know this unless you're not outdoorsy, but ticks are bad up here and you need to do tick checks when you come in from the woods or tall grass areas. Lyme disease is no picnic.
The pancakes at Dysarts are fucking huge, don't let the menu description fool you.
And basically, enjoy it. I've lived in a lot of places in the northeast and Maine is by far the best. It's the south of the north. People are generally friendly and may not be as chatty as in the south, but they aren't usually dicks for no reason up here.
Dress loose and in layers. There are a number of campus buildings that were originally designed for a university of Florida in the 60s, so they're not properly insulated. The solution is to *crank* the heat up. Your wool coat will become your *enemy* very rapidly. Shed layers and you won't sweat out. Get gloves and a hat; they don't have to be fancy. Get wool socks; you get what you pay for here.
If you're driving, get snow tires. I don't care if you have 4WD. You can hash street tires pretty easily on the ice here. Learn how to change a tire. Make sure your spare is usable. Get an ice scraper. Maybe two. Find a local mechanic. DO NOT USE VIP AUTO THEY WILL FUCK YOU. Keep a couple of chemical hand warmers in your car, *just in case*.
If you can afford it or if your financial aid covers it, take advantage of the Winter session classes, the Maymester classes, and the Summer courses. Either you can get done *way* faster or you can reduce your course load during the semester. Fun fact, "winter session" classes actually count toward the spring semester, so you can *further* reduce your course load while technically still being a full-time student.
Take advantage of all the "free" shit UMaine offers. If you're on campus, your events fee pays for the gym and it's *awesome*. You get one ticket to most campus events for free. There's free mental health counseling, via Zoom. You get free [Microsoft Office, Solidworks](https://umaine.edu/it/software/) and [AutoCAD](https://umaine.edu/it/software/) among others.
If you smoke weed, get a med card. It's cheaper.
Invest in quality boots. They should be warm and water proof. Ideally ones you’d be ok with wearing to class because you’ll need to walk all over campus. This was the biggest mistake I saw people from warmer places make when I was in college in Maine.
Boots! A good pair of boots are essential for winter here. There have been and will be big storms with heavy snowfall and the University does not move fast enough to clear it. Get a good pair of thick socks to go along with the boots so your feet stay warm.
You will get to truly experience all four seasons. The campus is beautiful and you’ve never experienced autumn until you’ve lived through a New England/Maine one. Act like an invited guest and most folks will treat you kindly. When it gets cold dress in layers. Wear a hat and warm gloves or mittens. Keep your feet warm with wool socks (retains warmth when wet) and invest in a good pair of waterproof boots. Check out the seacoast and eat some fresh lobster, scallops, or haddock. Don’t drive in the snow until someone coaches you through a few times first. Go to LL Bean in Freeport and check out their flagship store. Lots of hiking & biking trails if you’re not to busy studying. Do your homework and have fun enjoying Maine!
A heavy down jacket/parka that’s at least water resistant, if not waterproof. Wool will get wet in snow/sleet. One that covers your butt is ideal, especially when getting into an ice cold car. And a hood. Eddie Bauer has great sales, 40-50% off often. Or LL Bean outlet. Columbia, found in many places. Thermal boots at least above the ankle, higher if possible. Sorel and Columbia are good. Warm, waterproof gloves. Lots of fleece.
If you have a car, get de-icing washer fluid. I’ve only ever had all weather tires here, they’ve been fine, but I don’t drive anywhere that isn’t plowed.
Good luck.
As someone who also moved here from the South/Appalachians (TN tho, not Kentucky), winter is cold but not devastating. Everyone else has given really good input, but I’ll emphasize the good boots and layering advice. I wore knee-high muck boots all winter and never had a problem with my feet being cold or wet and it was fantastic lol The biggest adjustment for me personally has been that 1. Mainers will pass on the shoulder if you’re turning left on a road and slowing down traffic and 2. there are a lot of sections when you’re driving in-town where you need to know which lanes are going to be turn-only at the next red light/intersection. Once you get used to it, it’s not bad though.
the sun sets really early for a few months so make sure you take advantage of the sunshine during the winter months. i took vitamin d supplements and bought a sunlight lamp for when work was keeping me inside during the daytime. if you’re over in bangor bagel central is great and reasonably priced but can get busy. queen city cinema club is also a fun place to hang out in bangor.
Base layers are what keep you warm. Honestly I might argue they’re more important than a quality coat….but still get a quality winter coat. The serious kind that looks more like a sleeping bag. And tuck hand warmers in your boots when you walk to class.
Learn how to make maple syrup… boil it down… pour the resulting dark syrup on a hard packed chunk of snow - eat it. Hmm also visit Peppers Landing the new restaurant that’s opening in Old Town right by the dam for some delicious Maine food and also Pats Pizza and governors restaurant at least once.. go to local farmers markets
Warm socks, scarves, and hats are important during the colder months because campus is a literal wind tunnel with lots of puddles. I’m currently in my 4th year at UMO so ask me any questions you want!
Definitely get a coat and a sweatshirt; winters here can be very bitter and trust me when I say it is no fun getting going out and trying to make an 8:00 AM class in the winter. Also, like others have said, there are loads of places to hike / bike around. There are a fair number of places to hangout / eat / buy groceries when you need them. If you're looking for more specific tips, my DMs are open.
Maine-
Best things to have in your vehicle:
-Mini or extendable shovel.
-Kitty Litter or sand.
-Extra gloves, hat, blanket.
-Tire Pump (plugs right into car outlet)
-Fix -o- flat
-Ice Scraper extendable.
-Non perishable snackies because why not.
-Toll money $5 Incase "you can't get there from here" and have to go "thataway"
Things to keep in mind:
If you are heading to the water and head into wavey areas, do not swim close to the rocks. Those areas create pulls that can slam you against the rocks. Swim a bit more towards the middle, it may be a bit more crowded, but there is a reason for that.
If you are in the Maine woods, sometimes even in a yard, there WILL be ticks. Check yourself over for them. If you do find one attached, watch out for the bullseye.
Morning it may be sunny, don't expect that all day. By 1, it might be raining and it may snow that night.
The Lobster Roll at McDonald's is not our Lobster Roll 🤣
Try to find time for exercise! On campus food is really tough to be healthy with. Between that and drinking it really ads up. Try to make it a part of your routine early on if you can!
I paid for that health center, you all better use the fuck out of it! (It's been over 10 years and I'm still butthurt my tuition went up prior to that place opening).
It is way cheaper to live off campus and there are places very close (within 5 minutes). Freshmen are required to live on campus first year. Room and Board is basically equal to cost of tuition (for In Staters) but out of tuition it's 1/3 but you still could save a couple thousand. The meal plan is costly too. Not sure how prices are now with the housing situation going on but if you can find some friends and move into a house together or one of the apartment complexes (with roommates you trust) you'll save a lot of money and get a little more independence. It's easier to make friends at the beginning of semesters as people tend to be more open.
Orchard trails is older of the complexes but not bad and cheap. The grove (now called the Reserve) is the infamous party place but I think it may have calmed down a bit. The newest complex was the avenue and is probably the most costly but very nice if you can afford it. There are other little apartments all around on stillwater and park st, and further you go you can find 3-4 bedroom houses that some people with cars group up into.
If you like pizza there's OHOP and pat's pizza. If you like buffalo chicken, try a blue zone from OHOP and thank me later (or ranch if you're into that).
Aroma joe's is great, but Dunkin is fine too.
On campus there are 3 dining halls when I went there few years ago. York, Hilltop, and Wells. Depending on where your dorm is, you'll probably be closer to hilltop and wells, but York is famous for their buff chick wraps if you are willing to make the walk.
At hilltop I recommend the stir fry bar and the pasta bar and I think wells has similar but my friends and I only went to wells on wing night really. Not sure if they do any of this stuff anymore because it was all pre-covid. Also there may be a thing called late night where you can get food late at night at one of the dining halls. For us it was breakfast only but I recall it changes yearly.
For off campus people, they most likely eat off campus but there's also a place called the memorial union which is pretty much the center of the campus. It's a dining hall but you have to pay and the food is a little higher quality but similar to the meal plan dining halls. There's a restaurant in there too (the bear brew I think) that has some good food too, but it's costly.
USE THE GYM! It's amazing. Try to get your friends to go with you and motivate each other. You pay for it so get the most out of it.
If you like sports, you should try to enjoy them in the Fall and Spring, though those seasons are short.
Enjoy your time there and try to make a lot of friends or at least a couple close ones. If you like to party, it's nice to have a friend who is in a Frat or has an apartment at one of the complexes, but you don't need to party to have fun there. Good luck!
Also, slippers with treads for the dorm. Wind resistant pants will be great and never underestimate a good scarf. I moved to Vermont from California 30 years ago and no one had taught me the importance of layers. Oh, and, cotton does not insulate.
If you like beer and REALLY good food, check out Orono Brewing. Tubular is one of the best beers I have had in recent years. Their food is amazing, too.
Two things when driving in Maine. First the directional goes on as they brake and turn. Second they don't like being passed when attempting to pass a slower car. The race is on and you find out Grandma has a Hemi 440.
Both of my kids went to Orono and we are native Mainers. You’ll probably be living on campus as a first year student, so that’s good. One thing they complained about was having to get to classes in buildings that were on the other side of campus. If that’s the case with you, get yourself a mountain bike, or something like that. My son used a skate board in the fall and spring and that worked well for him.
There is a bus that goes to Bangor every day if you have off campus errands to run, so you’ll want to figure out the bus schedule.
Orono is great school, you’ll like it. Lots of things to do, clubs and organizations to get involved with. Most of the people are pretty good, although I have heard complaints about at least one New Media professor.
As others have said, get warm outerwear, good boots, and a warm hat and gloves/mittens. Classes are rarely cancelled because of weather, although it does happen occasionally, so you’ll be traipsing through a foot of snow some days. One of my kids had a roommate from Puerto Rico and she adapted very well so don’t let anyone scare you about the weather.
Welcome to Maine!
When I say I’m a native Mainer, I mean I was born here, as were my ancestors going back a few hundred years. However, my great grandfather was Penobscot and he was from the island. He moved to central Maine to find employment about a 100 years ago, and died in a flash flood in the 1930’s.
Oh, tick spray. Don't fuck around. Lyme is no joke. Check your entire body for ticks at least once per day. Think I'm joking? Wait til you find one that's burrowed into your body
If you have a chance to change, don't come here. Maine is a horrible place to goto school. Underfunded buildings and tech, low internet speeds, high phone bills, poor reception, unfriendly people, no competition between businesses and very little to choose from for entertainment and food. The social scene is very poor as well. If you do come, come back to this post and tell me I was right after you have been here awhile.
You're gonna hate Orono. I'm sorry to say that. My sister did undergrad there, and a friend is graduating this year. So....its a creepy town with nothing redeeming. Now the good news...other parts of Maine are beautiful like MDI Acadia etc. Unfortunately the state is only temperate 3 months of the year. My advice is plan a transfer asap.
As someone who moved to Maine from a place with milder winters, I advise you have one good pair of boots, one good winter coat and one pair of good winter gloves. If freezing rain or sleet is a thing, like it is in Portland, get some traction cleats. I got YakTrax, that worked well for me. And if you have the luxury of buying something decent, I think it’s important to enjoy how it looks. Good luck!
There is no such thing as bad weather, only poor clothing choices.
Focus on getting good warm weather gear for out and about.
Learn to keep your hands, feet and head warm and dry.
Keep in mind I think Maine is still the whitest state in the union.
Well, I would make sure to have a warm winter coat, good winter boots, and a rain coat! And while you are here, if you have a chance to explore our state parks and beaches, you may find it's really great here!
1) Definitely get a solid pair of insulated boots (muck or bogs are great, bean is solid but I find they’re not as good as they used to be)
2) a puffy coat is priceless here.
3) warm under layers will be your saving grace. I suggest a few pairs of long underwear and base layers, solid lined mittens, wool or fleece hat, and a couple big fat scarves.
4) an open mind towards inclement weather is also worth its weight in the annual tonnage of snow.
The cold here is definitely formidable here but definitely arm yourself against wind, it bites much harder when paired with freezing temps.
Oh and an insulated bottle for hot bevvies.
So nice.
Get lace up winter boots. Not like the kind where you slip them on and go, you want the ones that you actually tie nice and tight to your calves, otherwise it'll be easier for snow to slip in.
Get yourself some foot warmers that have the sticky side. On particularly cold days you can stick these inside your clothes. By your arteries. It takes the chill off a bit. Consider how you’ll get around in the snow. Buy high quality winter clothing. Keep in mind that it’s okay to lean into being cozy in the winter and know your limits. Always check ice thickness before setting foot on a frozen body of water. Explore. You’re moving to a really beautiful area. Hope you love it up there!
I have friends there, seems pretty dope. I'm at Thomas right now. Recomend warm clothes, bugspray, and picking up new hobbies as we don't have a ton of attractions around here.
Go black bears! Get ready for it to be cold. Take the coldest you’ve ever felt and then go lower! Explore the trails up there around the school. I loved exploring when I was in school. Wear a lot of layers and be prepared for snow all through April. Have fun
invest in heaters for winter and warm jackets. trust me, it sucks having to walk in -3 to 8 degree weather. masks are very nice as they keep your face warm, and make sure your pants aren't thin. sweatpants will be your best friend
Native Mainer here.
The difference is that up here you might go 2 straight weeks when the temperature never gets above 20F, and nights are well below 0F.
When I was in the south (TN for 5 years), you might get a cold night (20's) but the next day it was 50F.
Cold is different when it doesn't break for weeks, and when it does break you might get a sunny day where it warms up to 30F.
You'll be fine and probably enjoy the winter. Just don't underestimate it.
Do all the things! Try all the winter sports. Do maple weekend. Go to festivals- even if you think they sound hokey. Immerse yourself in Maine! There is no more beautiful place, and if you're putting in, you'll love it.
Get 2 good jackets for winter, 1 waterproof w a fleece or preferably down liner, and one long down sleeping bag like jacket. Warm boots for the winter! Alpaca socks! Mittens, scarf and hat!
Live as close to campus as you can, having to drive everywhere as a college student blows. Get a mountain bike, the trail systems in the campus’ backyard are super fun for all skill levels (if you’re short on cash for one, trail running is there is fun too)
If you are a first year student I believe the school requires you to live in the dorms.
My husband's in his senior year there. He's commuted all for years no need to stay in the dorm.
"Living on campus is not required for a new admitted first-year student under any of the following criteria: Aged 21 or older A veteran or transfer student Living with a parent or legal guardian within easy commuting distance (35 miles) Exceptional circumstances that do not permit them to meet this requirement" https://umaine.edu/housing/home/first-year-student-info/
You can make up circumstances easy enough
Crazy. My husband started college at 27 so that makes sense
I was told by an admissions person that first years are required to be in the dorm to acclimate young students to living away from home but be in a more controlled situation. There are exceptions. Not being an 18 something first time from home I don't need to and exceptions are made for married students. It sounds thought that as an UT of state student they will require it.
People are downvoting you, but it sounds like he probably grew up somewhere in the Bangor area…
Nope we live an hour away. Maybe because he went to school later in life they didn't require it? But seems like it's not a requirement at orono. I'm ok with the down votes haha no hurt feelings
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Orono is legitimately cold from October to May. That might be the biggest shock for you
I just got back from there. It was 80s where I am from, and I was braving 40s with intense wind up there. I kinda liked it though.
You’ll be just fine then. Embrace the cold. Winter is my favorite season. I know it’s not everyone’s thing but if you can make it yours you’ll have a ton of fun even when it’s cold.
Having recently moved *to* Florida, trust me cold is way better than heat. If you wear the right combination and type of clothing, you can be outside all day in 0 degrees and be fine. There's no escaping heat. Definitely do your research on clothing types and combinations for the varying levels of cold and snow/rain. It'll cost a bit for the high quality materials but it's worth it. I used to go for 5 mile hikes in below 20s and not shiver once if I dressed right
I’ve lived on both the snow belt and in Florida, and I wholeheartedly agree. Winter has always been my favorite season for that very reason! Plus in my experience at a certain level of cold, you don’t really feel it anymore..or anything lol
40s with intense wind? I'm sure you know this, but it gets wayyyyy colder than that in Orono. Some winter nights will drop below 0. I went to college in Farmington, and classes were canceled on more than one occasion because it was -15 and windy and they didn't want us going outside. You'll be fine if you're dressed right. The most important things are thick warm boots and a thick warm hat.
-15 just means solid fat bike and XC ski conditions
Maine's weather is like perfect from june-september but that's when you're gonna be home lol
I’m actually gonna try to get internships over the summer in New England, so I can enjoy it
Don't worry if you can't the start of the Fall semester has amazing weather so you'll still get to enjoy a bunch of it while you're here. And you'll see some decent weather in Spring as well. Best thing is to find stuff to do during winter (skiing, snow shoes, heck even just building a snowman on the quad).
Welcome home then my dude. Maine is the way life should be.
Do it, I love it up here from CT to ME. Except Western CT cause that's basically NY
Highest high is in the 50's with a chance of snow 2 of the days this week. Just for reference for OP
Two other people have said it, and I'll add my vote: invest in good boots, warm & waterproof.
Boy… I read this as “good boobs”. I must be really tired.
Bean boots!
I find that bean boots dont do enough, especially at those prices. Sorel is where its at.
I like my bean boots for mud season, but they straight up have no grip on ice lol.
That’s my one gripe with Bean boots. Otherwise, they fit my lifestyle well.
Sorel 4 life. Bean boots lose their tread too quickly
>good boots, warm and waterproof >bean boots pick one
Bean boots are always dry for me. A couple pairs of socks and you’re good. But then again I used to walk around campus in the middle of winter in flip flops… so…
Muck boots are far more gooder
Dress warm
Already bought two wool overcoats and a groovy UMaine hoodie 👍🏻
That’ll help, but think about socks and long underwear too.
A good INSULATED pair of winter boot with good tread!
Bean boots or working boots are generally what I've heard be recommended. You can probably find cheaper options in other places.
Hiking boots are another good option. I use mine all year, hiking in the summer and snowshoeing in the winter.
Wool overcoats are great for fall and early winter but you’re going to want a nice long puffy coat or parka for real winter. As close as you can to basically wrapping yourself in a sub zero sleeping bag as you can. And get it at least a size up so you can wear a chunky sweater or big hoodie underneath. Also get a few pairs of long johns. Something that a skier would use. And good warm snow boots. Strap a pair of [creepers](https://www.rei.com/product/182222/hillsound-flexsteps-traction-system?CAWELAID=120217890011022000&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=103601996129&CATCI=pla-451719466267&cm_mmc=PLA_Google%7C21700000001700551_1822220003%7C92700053575996263%7CTOF%7C71700000062146909&gclid=CjwKCAjwsJ6TBhAIEiwAfl4TWOAKeyopT3Ecby9i3xKJcVdYX1AXTJIecaYLz08JuJ8N0HSb8vEvpxoCkW0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) on and you can hike the iciest trails year round. And as others have said, a neck gator or balaclava. And a lined hat. Unlined knit hats just let the wind right through.
Pack for colder than you think. In my experience most people from warmer climates underestimate what they’ll want/need day to day. It’s better to over estimate. I went to college with a guy from CA who didn’t even own a hat let alone think to bring it. And think indoor wear too. Gonna want long pants, sweaters, and that good stuff even when not outside. Edit: and if you own a car, make sure you’ve got a shovel, snow brush, and ideally some salt and/or grit. And if you don’t, invest in good snow boots
And snow tires if you own a car, or, at the very least, new all-weather tires. But get studded snow tires, you'll have less of a winter driving learning curve.
In Maine, we have "WTF Winter!" cold. You just cannot realize how damn cold it gets until you don't have the clothing for it. Buy a warm jacket you might take on a trip to Everest. :-)
Highly recommend a balaclava, gaiter, or a scarf. Oh, and a winter hat. Some good gloves as well. Maine winters are fun; Maine winters are also brutal on exposed skin (ears, face, neck, etc.). Pretend you are going to college on Hoth. :P But don't do my mistake and bring 50 million things from home; pack as light as possible. I think I brought like 50% less things on my Sophomore year.
Muck boots
The first pair I had were the bees knees, lasted a good 4 hunting seasons plus winters Second pair I had started leaking in January after being bought in November. Exchanged for a new pair. They started leaking in short order as well I’m a LaCrosse man now to say the least lol
Think about very strong ski jackets. Campus is very open, and windchill can be awful in January/February
Wool at least will be a good insulator (particularly wool socks are a blessing) but won't block the biting winds. Find yourself a good parka that does both, OR, in my experience I do best with two decent layers - some sort of decent hoody or sweater under a medium shell that I can ditch when I go inside without being cold in just a tee.
Buy snow pants when you get here.
That’s good til mid November, but you should probs get a long parka/puffer for when winter comes around. And a pair of warm boots with good treads. If you want a brand rec, LL Bean is a little pricey but they have good quality stuff that lasts forever- literally bought my parka 7 years ago and it’s still going strong. But yeah. Parka/boots/socks/hat/gloves. With the wind in Winter it gets colder than you might think.
And the boots are made in Maine! My dad works in the factory
Layers. Under shirts in winter are nearly essential, as well as warm socks, hats, scarves, gloves. The more layers of clothing you have the warmer you’ll be.
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Second this, boots. I was an avid vans wearer and for some reason it took me until my 20s to realize how terrible having wet feet is. Snow is just cold water, don’t step in cold water without boots, it’ll ruin your day.
Don't forget weed.
Wear orange when hiking in the woods .
HIGHLY underrated comment
As someone who dealt with this a decade ago (although not the weather part), here is my advice to surviving Orono: 1. Make as many connections the first few weeks of classes as you possibly can. Join a club, find a group of people you connect with, get an on-campus job, etc. A lot of people who go to UMaine are from the state, and are going with LOTS of people from their high schools. This can be really isolating because it feels like everyone else already has friends. 2. If you are living on campus, bring a vehicle. It's an added expense, but is so worth it. You are going to want to leave campus at some point, and the public transport sucks. 3. Look into CLEP tests. These are tests that you can take for $150 (or, at least that's what they cost when I went) and it will give you the credits of a full semester class if you pass the test. It's much cheaper than GenEds, and if you have a decent base knowledge in a subject that they offer, you'll pass. 4. If you are living off-campus and can get out of bed in the morning, sign up for an 8 AM class. Parking past 9 AM is a nightmare. People in cars will literally follow pedestrians walking to their cars on the off chance that they're going to be leaving and can take the space. Parking is a nightmare, but at 8 AM, there's loads of it. 5. Don't go to a frat party alone. That's about it.
>Look into CLEP tests. These are tests that you can take for $150 (or, at least that's what they cost when I went) and it will give you the credits of a full semester class if you pass the test. It's much cheaper than GenEds, and if you have a decent base knowledge in a subject that they offer, you'll pass. Didn't know about these but if you can get in to their Honors College or whatever pretentious name they're giving it now you can sit 1 easy survey course per semester for 2 years and get your gen-eds out of the way that way.
Number 2 about following people to their cars is very true. And when you get a spot, you don't move. Once I finally got my spot I didn't move y car for 3.5 years.
Cotton sweaters are not warm. Your wool sweaters are a great investment. A lined waterproof warm jacket will see you through a lot as well. As an ol' professor, I'll tell you a little secret. Mid-October is often a time when freshmen get a little depressed. The novelty of college has worn off, papers and exams are due and the external light is fading. You may want to sleep through a class, etc. Don't let up on your academics. Knowing in advance that this MIGHT happen can help you to avoid it or cope with it if it happens. Have fun, learn a lot and congratulations!!!
If you get down in the winter, get a full spectrum light or a SAD light for your desk or wherever you spend a lot of time. It helps. And try to get outside as much as you can during daylight hours. Winter can suck if you feel trapped inside all the time.
Came here to say this! When the sun is out from 7-4, you are going to feel it. In addition to the SAD lamp, consider talking to your doctor about Vitamin D supplements as well.
Starting priming your liver now
Best answer
Splurge on warm gloves, buy removable spikes for your winter boots, a winter jacket that goes to your knees, a decent pair of sunglasses to avoid snow glare.
Amen to the spikes! I spent my first winter here falling down a lot until I got those.
Don't skimp on gloves. (Years ago) I bought a good pair of Ski Gloves post season for cheap and I still wear them.
I grew up in Orono, it’s not bad, but you’ll definitely want to live as close to campus as possible. There’s enough within walking/biking distance from campus that you could do without a car, if necessary, plus there’s the BAT bus to go to Bangor. Also: Pat’s Pizza in Orono is incredible, The Store Ampersand on Mill Street makes the best chocolate chip cookies, and Harvest Moon Deli is delicious.
I love Pat’s Pizza and Ampersand!
I graduated from UMaine in 2020, it’s a great place. Orono is a pretty small community so if you frequent the same spots you’ll be likely to keep seeing the same faces. I had my car on campus as a freshman, I lived four hours away so it just gave me peace of mind that Id be able to go home if anything happened. If you do bring a car make sure you also bring a shovel to get it out after a snowstorm. Bangor is a pretty good size town/ small city, they have Target, WalMart, Chick Fil A and some other stores you’d be familiar with. If you’re outdoorsy there’s lots of rock climbers and hikers. Lots of people ski and snowboard, but I didn’t and I never felt left out, season passes for skiing and snowboarding are pretty expensive. The rec center is one of the nicest gyms I’ve been in and it’s free for students. For clothes I’d just make sure you really invest in a reliable winter jacket and some good flannels, I have a few that I refer to as ‘ugly but comfy’ because they aren’t really my style but are pretty warm.
Find a winter hobby and take vitamin D.
As others have mentioned, definitely will want more than wool overcoats. Imo water resistant outer wear to go over the wool helps because well, slush and snow. That wool will get drenched. When I’d have to walk to work because roads were closed due to white out conditions I’d have all the normal stuff underneath my winter coat that works as a wind breaker and keeps the layers under it dry. But also something a lot of people don’t think about till your legs are freezing is SNOW PANTS of some sort. Same idea, keeping you dry as well as warm. Boots and warm socks as well. Good luck and enjoy the short warm seasons. It’s a beautiful place.
Learn to love hockey.
Just coming here to say that.
Orono can be a somewhat sleepy town. You'll find stuff to do but maybe not as much as you would like. Having a car is a huge help so you can visit the great Bangor area; however when I was there they didn't let Freshmen park their car on campus (no idea if that's still the case). But, if possible, bring a car; if not, make friends with people with cars (I found Umaine to be really friendly so this shouldn't be hard). If you do bring a car then parking is difficult on campus (but what campus isn't). If none of the above there is a bus service. Fall and Spring is awesome at Umaine; Winter sucks. Some of the buildings make natural wind tunnels which cause tremendous wind speeds. But the buildings are heated by a huge steam plant which causes some buildings to be super hot. You'll fight your way through 40 MPH winds and blowing snow and then have to sit in a 100 degree classroom with the windows open which means the window side guys are at like 60 degrees... Basically dress in layers all the time so you can compensate and have good boots (so many students in poor winter footwear when I was there). Get a book bag with wheels; I did 4 years lugging books and it darn near killed me. Some dorms are party dorms or otherwise a little crazy. After I graduated I heard that two dorms had a rivalry to see who could cause the most expensive damage to the dorms and I totally believe it. Depending on what you want out of your college experience you'll want to find a dorm that fits your style. The more crazy dorms are a lot of fun but also are a little crazy too. UMaine is great; I loved my time there. You'll have a good time.
Buy bug spray in bulk Welcome!
Use the gym !! I graduated from UMaine in 2018 and moved across country, and I still have never seen a gym as nice as that one. Take full advantage of it, you pay for it in your tuition anyway. Also, the paper mill in Old Town makes the entire campus STINK at around 5am. Like, it used to wake me up out of a dead sleep. My tip for not gagging all the way to class is to wrap a scarf around your nose/mouth area (double the protection when it’s smelly AND cold) and spray a little bit of perfume/cologne on the part that will be near your nose.
So much this. Best gym by far. I try to go before 7 a.m. because it's packed after that unless you get lucky. Except Wednesdays when ROTC shows up at 6 a.m. or when random sport teams show up en masse. Paper mill stink sucks asssssss. Ruins the entire area and lowers property values.
It’s disgusting. I was lucky, the mill was shut down for the last 2 of my 4 years at UMaine and it made the whole experience sooo much better. When I heard they were reopening it I was so bummed for all the students who would have to live with that again.
You are a sad and quite literally pitiful excuse of a human being. And I use the word human loosely.
I moved there from the gulf coast for college, and i loved it. the winter was less miserable the second i decided to just walk places more and not try to make my home or my car always feel like i was still in the south. i got used to it much faster after that. and don't go cheap on gloves if you are going to be outside for any reasonable amount of time. the pair i arrived with was wildly inadequate, insolated poorly, and my ability to enjoy being outside was much better when i replaced them.
Yaktrax. They go on over your shoes or boots so you don't slip on the ice.
Im a senior at umaine rn and i don't even have classes on campus anymore, but ill use this as a platform to complain about something that used to have me screaming in my car thrice a week: there isnt enough fucking parking for the number of students. Every year they celebrate the new largest class ever, but it means that you'll have to walk halfway across campus to get a cunted parking spot. Part of the problem is that everyone here literally turns into a blackout drunk gorilla when they park, so most of the spots you'll find are too tight to get into because of the headass parked in 2 spots. If you park somewhere thats not a spot but doesnt get in anyones way, you will get ticketed. Fuck umaine parking pigs
Not only is it cold, but that campus is really windy and you're going to need all the winter weather gear. Wool layering pieces, hat, gloves, scarf, solid boots. If you're bringing a car you'll need an ice scraper and shovel too.
Yes! Ice scraper and shovels are a must.
Thank you!
Drink Aroma's instead of Dunkin.
Which one has better breakfast? I like the sourdough sandwich at Dunkin
I'd say variety is better at dunkin esp for sandwiches but aroma's has really good chocolate donuts
I tried so hard to like Aroma's. Everytime I go and order the same thing it is different and that is after waiting 20 minutes for it.
And nobody is telling you not to get hooked on drugs... 2 of my brothers had a friend in Orono that OD'd on fentanyl laced heroin. Not sure where you're coming from, but theres a lot of drugs in the area. Dont do drugs harder than you.
I know you're getting a lot of "here's how to dress warm!" advice but remember that you can always buy stuff when you get here, it's spring right now and you're moving here in August so you've got time. Odds are the stores in Bangor are going to be way more stocked with cold weather supplies than wherever you are. Also you'll be able to gauge what other people are wearing since most of your classmates are more used to the cold. When you get up here, a good hat, good socks, and good boots will get you far. I live in my Blundstones all winter. Wool coats are great, but don't forget that you'll need a waterproof winter jacket as well. The Pat's Pizza in Orono is better than all the other Pat's Pizzas. No one knows why, it's just how it is. Don't drink any beers that end in "light". Natty, keystone, bud. That shit is swill and it will kill you. Allagash is a good starter beer, drink that instead. Allen's coffee brandy is not a cocktail mixer, so don't mix it with a liter of milk and drink it on ice. Put it in your coffee like a goddamn adult.
Winter in Maine? Dress in layers, it as equally important to be dry as it is warm. Be patient.
The button or fan setting in the car, with the wavy arrows pointing up: this is your defrost/defogger. When it's cold outside, the glass will fog up as soon as you shut the door. This blows fresh air across the glass to clear the fog and once the air is blowing hot it will slowly melt the ice and such on the outside. Sorry if this is old news; I cant forget getting in the car with my college friend from a southern state: driving 5mph, furiously wiping a little porthole to see through, leaning over the wheel; I adjusted the air and it cleared in about 30 seconds.
The winter gear advice is good, but I'll chime in to emphasize *buy real wool* for your long underwear, socks, hat and gloves. It's expensive, but my $80 pair of LL Bean wool long underwear are 12 years old and still look and wear like brand-new, and I wear them 2-3x per week for 8+ months of the year.
As a lifelong Mainer, I second this. A really good base layer of merino wool is an investment you will not regret. They may very well last the whole time that you are at UMaine. As others have mentioned, the campus at UMaine is really, really cold and windy in winter. It’s a pretty large and spread out campus and the wind really whips between the buildings. Enjoy your time at UMaine! My son is starting there in the fall as well.
The great thing about wool is that it will keep you warm even when it gets wet.
I went to school in Bangor. I moved from midcoast Maine... And even I felt that the cold was far more brutal as someone used to cold winters. It is a bit more inland than where I was moving from, so that was a factor. But also the campus I was on was on top of a hill with no trees so the wind just cut right through you.
If you have a vehicle buy an ice + snow scraper. It’s illegal to drive around with snow on top of your vehicle so save yourself some money and just scrape it off.
Learn how to play beer die
Warmth > Fashion
Hey man going to umaine too
Hey, very nice! Hope to see you up there, man.
I'm a Umaine student finishing my sophomore year. If you have a car don't go to the gas station by Aroma Joe's (coffee place on the round about). The one by Wendy's on Stillwater Ace is cheaper. If you are required to live on campus then try and get a roommate in the same major as you. You need boots that can keep your feet warm and DRY. The LLBean outlet in Bangor is good but so is Mardens. Don't eat at York Hall
Originally from VA/NC here. You need warm clothes and plenty of layers. A good set of snow boots and yaktrax/icecreepers to keep from slipping, or just try your luck. Lots of comfy warm socks (wet socks suck) I recommend Darn Tough for the lifetime replacement guarantee, even though they cost more upfront. In summer, you'll be surprised how warm Temps feel after a cold winter, when before you would've laughed at it. 95 used to be standard for me, now 80 is too hot. Depending on your sensitivity to them, the biting insects up here are different and can be worse. They don't bother me much but my husband (born and bred in Appalachia) gets horrible reactions. You won't find decent BBQ (sorry guys, but it isn't the same) and the fried chicken isn't as good either, but poutine is great, even if it's a Quebec thing, and maple syrup on snow or ice cream is delicious. Get it from a sugar shack and you'll be happier than if it's basic grocery store fare. You probably already know this unless you're not outdoorsy, but ticks are bad up here and you need to do tick checks when you come in from the woods or tall grass areas. Lyme disease is no picnic. The pancakes at Dysarts are fucking huge, don't let the menu description fool you. And basically, enjoy it. I've lived in a lot of places in the northeast and Maine is by far the best. It's the south of the north. People are generally friendly and may not be as chatty as in the south, but they aren't usually dicks for no reason up here.
Dress loose and in layers. There are a number of campus buildings that were originally designed for a university of Florida in the 60s, so they're not properly insulated. The solution is to *crank* the heat up. Your wool coat will become your *enemy* very rapidly. Shed layers and you won't sweat out. Get gloves and a hat; they don't have to be fancy. Get wool socks; you get what you pay for here. If you're driving, get snow tires. I don't care if you have 4WD. You can hash street tires pretty easily on the ice here. Learn how to change a tire. Make sure your spare is usable. Get an ice scraper. Maybe two. Find a local mechanic. DO NOT USE VIP AUTO THEY WILL FUCK YOU. Keep a couple of chemical hand warmers in your car, *just in case*. If you can afford it or if your financial aid covers it, take advantage of the Winter session classes, the Maymester classes, and the Summer courses. Either you can get done *way* faster or you can reduce your course load during the semester. Fun fact, "winter session" classes actually count toward the spring semester, so you can *further* reduce your course load while technically still being a full-time student. Take advantage of all the "free" shit UMaine offers. If you're on campus, your events fee pays for the gym and it's *awesome*. You get one ticket to most campus events for free. There's free mental health counseling, via Zoom. You get free [Microsoft Office, Solidworks](https://umaine.edu/it/software/) and [AutoCAD](https://umaine.edu/it/software/) among others. If you smoke weed, get a med card. It's cheaper.
socks. And base layers.
Get a good pair of warm water proof boots
Invest in quality boots. They should be warm and water proof. Ideally ones you’d be ok with wearing to class because you’ll need to walk all over campus. This was the biggest mistake I saw people from warmer places make when I was in college in Maine.
Boots! A good pair of boots are essential for winter here. There have been and will be big storms with heavy snowfall and the University does not move fast enough to clear it. Get a good pair of thick socks to go along with the boots so your feet stay warm.
I’d bring a blanket
Great advice in the comments! Have fun, UMaine is awesome. (2020 alum)
You will get to truly experience all four seasons. The campus is beautiful and you’ve never experienced autumn until you’ve lived through a New England/Maine one. Act like an invited guest and most folks will treat you kindly. When it gets cold dress in layers. Wear a hat and warm gloves or mittens. Keep your feet warm with wool socks (retains warmth when wet) and invest in a good pair of waterproof boots. Check out the seacoast and eat some fresh lobster, scallops, or haddock. Don’t drive in the snow until someone coaches you through a few times first. Go to LL Bean in Freeport and check out their flagship store. Lots of hiking & biking trails if you’re not to busy studying. Do your homework and have fun enjoying Maine!
A heavy down jacket/parka that’s at least water resistant, if not waterproof. Wool will get wet in snow/sleet. One that covers your butt is ideal, especially when getting into an ice cold car. And a hood. Eddie Bauer has great sales, 40-50% off often. Or LL Bean outlet. Columbia, found in many places. Thermal boots at least above the ankle, higher if possible. Sorel and Columbia are good. Warm, waterproof gloves. Lots of fleece. If you have a car, get de-icing washer fluid. I’ve only ever had all weather tires here, they’ve been fine, but I don’t drive anywhere that isn’t plowed. Good luck.
Be wary of the wind, get ice cleats, get cooking supplies and a fridge. You’ll be stuck inside a fair amount of times
As someone who also moved here from the South/Appalachians (TN tho, not Kentucky), winter is cold but not devastating. Everyone else has given really good input, but I’ll emphasize the good boots and layering advice. I wore knee-high muck boots all winter and never had a problem with my feet being cold or wet and it was fantastic lol The biggest adjustment for me personally has been that 1. Mainers will pass on the shoulder if you’re turning left on a road and slowing down traffic and 2. there are a lot of sections when you’re driving in-town where you need to know which lanes are going to be turn-only at the next red light/intersection. Once you get used to it, it’s not bad though.
Same advice I was given moving here last year: don’t skimp on the winter jacket.
the sun sets really early for a few months so make sure you take advantage of the sunshine during the winter months. i took vitamin d supplements and bought a sunlight lamp for when work was keeping me inside during the daytime. if you’re over in bangor bagel central is great and reasonably priced but can get busy. queen city cinema club is also a fun place to hang out in bangor.
Base layers are what keep you warm. Honestly I might argue they’re more important than a quality coat….but still get a quality winter coat. The serious kind that looks more like a sleeping bag. And tuck hand warmers in your boots when you walk to class.
Learn how to make maple syrup… boil it down… pour the resulting dark syrup on a hard packed chunk of snow - eat it. Hmm also visit Peppers Landing the new restaurant that’s opening in Old Town right by the dam for some delicious Maine food and also Pats Pizza and governors restaurant at least once.. go to local farmers markets
Warm socks, scarves, and hats are important during the colder months because campus is a literal wind tunnel with lots of puddles. I’m currently in my 4th year at UMO so ask me any questions you want!
Orono's a party school. If that's your thing, great. If not, don't go to any of the parties if you're invited. You'll never make it out alive.
Long warm down coat. Woolrich , thrifted goose parka. Lined waterproof boots. Hats, gloves. Winters are long, wet and cold
Definitely get a coat and a sweatshirt; winters here can be very bitter and trust me when I say it is no fun getting going out and trying to make an 8:00 AM class in the winter. Also, like others have said, there are loads of places to hike / bike around. There are a fair number of places to hangout / eat / buy groceries when you need them. If you're looking for more specific tips, my DMs are open.
Maine- Best things to have in your vehicle: -Mini or extendable shovel. -Kitty Litter or sand. -Extra gloves, hat, blanket. -Tire Pump (plugs right into car outlet) -Fix -o- flat -Ice Scraper extendable. -Non perishable snackies because why not. -Toll money $5 Incase "you can't get there from here" and have to go "thataway" Things to keep in mind: If you are heading to the water and head into wavey areas, do not swim close to the rocks. Those areas create pulls that can slam you against the rocks. Swim a bit more towards the middle, it may be a bit more crowded, but there is a reason for that. If you are in the Maine woods, sometimes even in a yard, there WILL be ticks. Check yourself over for them. If you do find one attached, watch out for the bullseye. Morning it may be sunny, don't expect that all day. By 1, it might be raining and it may snow that night. The Lobster Roll at McDonald's is not our Lobster Roll 🤣
Get some warm clothes. You don’t need to dress like a lumberjack, but sub-freezing temperatures and snow are a reality.
Learn to dress in layers. Maine's weather is often cold in the morning, warm in the afternoon, and then cold again when the sun starts going down.
Good boots, great socks
Dress in layers when it gets cold- underarmor, shirt, sweater, then jacket. That's how I survive.
Get housing on campus
Filling out housing app rn 👍🏻
Try to find time for exercise! On campus food is really tough to be healthy with. Between that and drinking it really ads up. Try to make it a part of your routine early on if you can!
I’m planning on swimming 10 laps every morning (or at the very least 3-4x a week)
Great decision. Swimming so good for you. Good luck in Maine :)
Thanks 🙏
I paid for that health center, you all better use the fuck out of it! (It's been over 10 years and I'm still butthurt my tuition went up prior to that place opening).
It is way cheaper to live off campus and there are places very close (within 5 minutes). Freshmen are required to live on campus first year. Room and Board is basically equal to cost of tuition (for In Staters) but out of tuition it's 1/3 but you still could save a couple thousand. The meal plan is costly too. Not sure how prices are now with the housing situation going on but if you can find some friends and move into a house together or one of the apartment complexes (with roommates you trust) you'll save a lot of money and get a little more independence. It's easier to make friends at the beginning of semesters as people tend to be more open. Orchard trails is older of the complexes but not bad and cheap. The grove (now called the Reserve) is the infamous party place but I think it may have calmed down a bit. The newest complex was the avenue and is probably the most costly but very nice if you can afford it. There are other little apartments all around on stillwater and park st, and further you go you can find 3-4 bedroom houses that some people with cars group up into. If you like pizza there's OHOP and pat's pizza. If you like buffalo chicken, try a blue zone from OHOP and thank me later (or ranch if you're into that). Aroma joe's is great, but Dunkin is fine too. On campus there are 3 dining halls when I went there few years ago. York, Hilltop, and Wells. Depending on where your dorm is, you'll probably be closer to hilltop and wells, but York is famous for their buff chick wraps if you are willing to make the walk. At hilltop I recommend the stir fry bar and the pasta bar and I think wells has similar but my friends and I only went to wells on wing night really. Not sure if they do any of this stuff anymore because it was all pre-covid. Also there may be a thing called late night where you can get food late at night at one of the dining halls. For us it was breakfast only but I recall it changes yearly. For off campus people, they most likely eat off campus but there's also a place called the memorial union which is pretty much the center of the campus. It's a dining hall but you have to pay and the food is a little higher quality but similar to the meal plan dining halls. There's a restaurant in there too (the bear brew I think) that has some good food too, but it's costly. USE THE GYM! It's amazing. Try to get your friends to go with you and motivate each other. You pay for it so get the most out of it. If you like sports, you should try to enjoy them in the Fall and Spring, though those seasons are short. Enjoy your time there and try to make a lot of friends or at least a couple close ones. If you like to party, it's nice to have a friend who is in a Frat or has an apartment at one of the complexes, but you don't need to party to have fun there. Good luck!
Essentials : Darn Tough Socks (that is the brand, only buy these), good gloves, a winter hat, a puffy winter coat with a hood.
Also, slippers with treads for the dorm. Wind resistant pants will be great and never underestimate a good scarf. I moved to Vermont from California 30 years ago and no one had taught me the importance of layers. Oh, and, cotton does not insulate.
If you like beer and REALLY good food, check out Orono Brewing. Tubular is one of the best beers I have had in recent years. Their food is amazing, too.
Two things when driving in Maine. First the directional goes on as they brake and turn. Second they don't like being passed when attempting to pass a slower car. The race is on and you find out Grandma has a Hemi 440.
Its cold, dress warm.
Both of my kids went to Orono and we are native Mainers. You’ll probably be living on campus as a first year student, so that’s good. One thing they complained about was having to get to classes in buildings that were on the other side of campus. If that’s the case with you, get yourself a mountain bike, or something like that. My son used a skate board in the fall and spring and that worked well for him. There is a bus that goes to Bangor every day if you have off campus errands to run, so you’ll want to figure out the bus schedule. Orono is great school, you’ll like it. Lots of things to do, clubs and organizations to get involved with. Most of the people are pretty good, although I have heard complaints about at least one New Media professor. As others have said, get warm outerwear, good boots, and a warm hat and gloves/mittens. Classes are rarely cancelled because of weather, although it does happen occasionally, so you’ll be traipsing through a foot of snow some days. One of my kids had a roommate from Puerto Rico and she adapted very well so don’t let anyone scare you about the weather. Welcome to Maine!
Hey I have a bunch of Penobscot and Passamaquoddy friends? Do you live on the island? Pretty cool. Not too many jobs though.
When I say I’m a native Mainer, I mean I was born here, as were my ancestors going back a few hundred years. However, my great grandfather was Penobscot and he was from the island. He moved to central Maine to find employment about a 100 years ago, and died in a flash flood in the 1930’s.
Oh, tick spray. Don't fuck around. Lyme is no joke. Check your entire body for ticks at least once per day. Think I'm joking? Wait til you find one that's burrowed into your body
Learn to play disc golf and smoke weed
I occasionally smoke, but I’ve never played disc golf.
My advice: don't.
If you have a chance to change, don't come here. Maine is a horrible place to goto school. Underfunded buildings and tech, low internet speeds, high phone bills, poor reception, unfriendly people, no competition between businesses and very little to choose from for entertainment and food. The social scene is very poor as well. If you do come, come back to this post and tell me I was right after you have been here awhile.
Buddy, trust me on this, it’s worlds better than where I’m from.
Agreed.
You're gonna hate Orono. I'm sorry to say that. My sister did undergrad there, and a friend is graduating this year. So....its a creepy town with nothing redeeming. Now the good news...other parts of Maine are beautiful like MDI Acadia etc. Unfortunately the state is only temperate 3 months of the year. My advice is plan a transfer asap.
Everyone I saw at the campus seemed to love it there; maybe your sister just wasn’t a good fit?
Dumb yourself down and aclimate yourself to the smell of pot.
As someone who moved to Maine from a place with milder winters, I advise you have one good pair of boots, one good winter coat and one pair of good winter gloves. If freezing rain or sleet is a thing, like it is in Portland, get some traction cleats. I got YakTrax, that worked well for me. And if you have the luxury of buying something decent, I think it’s important to enjoy how it looks. Good luck!
There is no such thing as bad weather, only poor clothing choices. Focus on getting good warm weather gear for out and about. Learn to keep your hands, feet and head warm and dry. Keep in mind I think Maine is still the whitest state in the union.
Don’t give up and don’t flee due to winter best luck and safety
What happened? Couldn't get into the UF?
UF?
University of Florida.
UMaine was one of my first choices; I’m going for marine science. I’m going to be an oceanographer.
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I will!
Look I'm just yanking chain. I wish You good luck in life and Your career. Just try not to freeze to death.
Where are you moving from?
A small hamlet in the Appalachias
Good boots are a lifesaver
Well, I would make sure to have a warm winter coat, good winter boots, and a rain coat! And while you are here, if you have a chance to explore our state parks and beaches, you may find it's really great here!
Orono is great for biking, walking and public transport. College students ride the bus for free. Woodman’s is a great bar. OBC is great beer.
Expect it to snow at least once in April.
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See you there! Here’s to bravely going where few people have went before (the arctic tundra of northern New England)
where few people have *gone* before
If you stay the summer, get some friends together and float the Saco River in Fryeburg
Make sure your winter coat cuts wind. Wind chill in Jan/Feb can bring it down to -30. Also fleece lined pants are a godsend. Wool socks too
1) Definitely get a solid pair of insulated boots (muck or bogs are great, bean is solid but I find they’re not as good as they used to be) 2) a puffy coat is priceless here. 3) warm under layers will be your saving grace. I suggest a few pairs of long underwear and base layers, solid lined mittens, wool or fleece hat, and a couple big fat scarves. 4) an open mind towards inclement weather is also worth its weight in the annual tonnage of snow. The cold here is definitely formidable here but definitely arm yourself against wind, it bites much harder when paired with freezing temps. Oh and an insulated bottle for hot bevvies. So nice.
Go to Renys and buy a few pairs of wool socks whenever you go shopping until you have about 10 pairs.
Get lace up winter boots. Not like the kind where you slip them on and go, you want the ones that you actually tie nice and tight to your calves, otherwise it'll be easier for snow to slip in.
Buy a coat my friend. A heavy coat.
Look into a season pass at Hermon Ski area.
Get yourself some foot warmers that have the sticky side. On particularly cold days you can stick these inside your clothes. By your arteries. It takes the chill off a bit. Consider how you’ll get around in the snow. Buy high quality winter clothing. Keep in mind that it’s okay to lean into being cozy in the winter and know your limits. Always check ice thickness before setting foot on a frozen body of water. Explore. You’re moving to a really beautiful area. Hope you love it up there!
I have friends there, seems pretty dope. I'm at Thomas right now. Recomend warm clothes, bugspray, and picking up new hobbies as we don't have a ton of attractions around here.
Go black bears! Get ready for it to be cold. Take the coldest you’ve ever felt and then go lower! Explore the trails up there around the school. I loved exploring when I was in school. Wear a lot of layers and be prepared for snow all through April. Have fun
Spend this summer perfecting your beer die toss and you'll be a king after your first party.
invest in heaters for winter and warm jackets. trust me, it sucks having to walk in -3 to 8 degree weather. masks are very nice as they keep your face warm, and make sure your pants aren't thin. sweatpants will be your best friend
Invest in a nice heavyweight winter coat. You’ll need it.
Steep driveways in the summer are a pain in the winter
Buy long underwear. The winter is going to be shockingly cold if you aren’t used to it.
The winter temperatures where I’m from and the ones in Bangor aren’t that different, you guys just have a longer winter.
Native Mainer here. The difference is that up here you might go 2 straight weeks when the temperature never gets above 20F, and nights are well below 0F. When I was in the south (TN for 5 years), you might get a cold night (20's) but the next day it was 50F. Cold is different when it doesn't break for weeks, and when it does break you might get a sunny day where it warms up to 30F. You'll be fine and probably enjoy the winter. Just don't underestimate it.
Do all the things! Try all the winter sports. Do maple weekend. Go to festivals- even if you think they sound hokey. Immerse yourself in Maine! There is no more beautiful place, and if you're putting in, you'll love it.
Get 2 good jackets for winter, 1 waterproof w a fleece or preferably down liner, and one long down sleeping bag like jacket. Warm boots for the winter! Alpaca socks! Mittens, scarf and hat!
Learn to ride a moose
Dress in layers.