Move-in Day is only about a week from now! As the incoming class of 2020 tries to cram everything in the last week or so, many forget about the extra supplies they might need for the year other than the ones listed on the "What to Bring" list. Here are the top five things every student should bring to school.
1) Bed Sheet Protector
This is a must for many students, especially those living on campus. You don't know who the last person sleeping on the mattress was. There just might be stains invisible to the naked eye hiding on or in the mattress. A bed sheet just isn't enough to keep you away from the nasty bacteria hidden inside that springy mattress you lie on. You might just want to invest in a UV Light for that and see for yourself. Ewww.
2) Desk Lamp
So, we're provided a light, a chair, and a desk in our rooms, but we have no desk light. If you ask me, it would be pretty rude if you were trying to study in the room while your roommate(s) are sleeping and the room light was on. Find one that is bright enough for you to see your work so you won't be straining your eyes. Also find one that has an adjustable brightness for those times when the thing you're looking at reflects a lot of light like a white glossy textbook page.
3) Sunglasses
Have you experienced the weather in Riverside?! It's hot and sunny for most of the year. All freshman at orientation have experienced this. The morning sun, and then the blazing hot sun during the day time. As soon as you step outside, you're hit with the bright sun. Coming from Northern California, we don't really get this type of sun exposure back at home. This item just kind of goes without saying that you need these.
4) Sunscreen
Sunscreen, ahh yes, the good old white cream you smear on your skin to act as an invisible sheet of protection against the harmful UV rays of the sun. Although the ozone layer in our atmosphere is scientifically backed up to absorbing most of all incoming UV radiation, not everything is absorbed. As with the sunglasses, sunscreen is pretty important as well because, I mean, come on, we ARE in a desert after all.
5) Skateboard/Long board/Bike/Car
Skateboards, long boards and bikes. All of which are important because maybe you have a class at 10am, and it ends at 12pm, then you give yourself 30 mins to eat, then you gotta rush to a 1pm class which then ends at 3pm. All this getting around campus takes a while. It's not like high school anymore where walking from one class to another takes less than 5 mins. Plus, those who have 7pm class that end at 9pm might want to get back to dorms as soon as possible.
Ok, ok, ok. Some of you may complain how the parking permit for a car is really expensive per academic year starting at $504 for Residence Hall people. But it really is necessary because if you want to go buy some groceries, or maybe go out to eat with some friends somewhere else other than at University Village, you will need to take a car.