Before I started my freshman year at UPike, I read numerous articles about what I would need to prepare me for college. I found many lists about what to pack, what to use to decorate my dorm and what kind of school supplies are most useful. Although these lists were very helpful, they didn’t include five things that have become an essential part of my college experience. Here are the five things I couldn’t make it without:

1. A Planner/ Calendar

For a control freak like myself, organization is a key factor in being successful in college. A planner allows you to write down every event, activity and meeting you must attend. It can also help keep track of due dates of homework assignments, quizzes and tests. Everything you need to know is in one organized, color coded, little book that can be accessed at any time.

2. Coffee

Even if you’re not a fan of coffee when you start college, you’ll be in a deep relationship with the drink by the time you graduate. When you’re up to 2 a.m. studying for an exam, knowing you have to wake up at 6:00 a.m. and start all over again the next morning, coffee has your back. It helps wake you up, keep you focused and give you the energy you need to make through the day.

3. A Study Buddy

One of the best assets to any college student is an awesome study buddy. You will find that a study buddy can be beneficial in more ways than one. He or she will sit with you for hours going over flashcards, memorizing charts and working practice problems. This gives you a chance to see the study material in a way that’s different than your own way of thinking. Sometimes, a study buddy will just sit and complain about a class with you and it’s a comfort to know that you’re not the only one who’s stressing out over an assignment or an exam.

4. Confidence

Confidence isn’t something you can just go to Wal-Mart and buy but it is a very important thing to have. If you are a nervous wreck and constantly doubting yourself, you’ll end up hurting your academic career. Give yourself a pep talk and know that you can do anything you set your mind to. Once you start believing in yourself, it will be easier to accomplish your goal.

5. Time to Relax

College is a very stressful place for everyone. Although you are there to get a degree and you constantly have to work hard to do so but you have to take some time for yourself to just relax. Schedule in some time to hang out with your friends, go for a walk, see a movie, or even take tap a nap. The most important thing is self- care.