It's that time of year again when you walk into Walmart or Target and see six aisles worth of back-to-school supplies and young students referring to a nicely-typed list of what to buy for the upcoming school year. Don't you ever feel jealous of them? These kids walking around with their parents, who are basically doing all of the work for them, picking out everything they will need for the next nine months. They have it so easy. But what about us college students? Where is our list of back-to-school supplies? I want to be prepared too, ya know? I want to walk into a store knowing exactly what I need to succeed this year, and what to buy for the classroom to suck up to my teacher. While I can't tell you a list of items to buy your teacher in order to assure an "A," I can tell you some things that might be important for college students to have.
1. Scantrons
Nobody likes that kid who walks in on test day without a scantron and is bumming off other classmates just because they were too lazy to go buy one. So, I suggest scrounging up some change and buying as many scantrons as you can so you are never that kid, or at least have a quarter so you can pay your classmate back for the scantron they gave you. Same goes for writing utensils and paper. Just don't be a mooch.
2. Gum
OK, we get it. You really enjoy a cup or 10 cups of coffee after you pulled that completely unnecessary all-nighter, but please, for the love of God, don't get all breathy while you're complaining about how tired you are to the person sitting next to you unless you have had a piece of gum. You could be sitting next to your future boyfriend or girlfriend and have the worst coffee breath. In case you didn't know, it is in fact super embarrassing. Not to mention, class can be boring and chewing on a piece of gum makes it more enjoyable for some reason. I don't know why, but it does.
3. A Planner/Calendar
In middle school, my teachers forcing us to use our planners and I am now seeing why. As college students, we all have crazy busy lives, but they can be easily managed if you use of one of the two mentioned items. You may be the kind of person who needs to write down every single movement you will make throughout the day or maybe all you need to do is remember what chapters to "read" tonight. Either way, having important dates written down can help keep you organized and less forgetful. Also, having everything you need to do in a week written out can give you an idea of what else you have time for or how to manage your time in general.
4. Access to a gym or involvement in a physical activity.
Working out or participating sports may not be for everyone, but as a victim of the Freshman 15, I would highly suggest that you take my advice on this one. This isn't just about having a bikini ready body or making major "gains" though, but about keeping your sanity. Being active is a great way to relieve stress and keeping your confidence levels up! When you look good, you will feel good too and that will show when you walk around campus or even in how you do in school. I'm sure there is some fancy statistic about how staying active and school performance, but you'll have to look that one up yourself.
5. Headphones
Not everyone likes to study with music on, and not everyone likes the kind of music you listen to. Not much else to say about that. You know how to use them, so use them when necessary.
6. Involvement with an organization on campus.
Sometimes college is too big to meet new people, and joining a club or an organization on campus can create a smaller community for you to be a apart of and help you gain life-long connections. Also, the people you meet in these clubs or organizations can be who you turn to when you're having a bad day or need help with a homework assignment. There are plenty of great benefits to being involved on campus some how.
7. Pepto-Bismol, OTC migraine medicine and a banana.
I'm no doctor, but consume these in no particular order when you went a little too hard the night before and that hangover you have will be gone just in time for you to catch up on that last minute homework due at 11:59 PM.
8. A study playlist.
Have a playlist put together of songs that you like to listen to while you study. This way you don't have to keep searching for songs as you go and then you end up becoming distracted from the task at hand. I can't tell you how many times I am searching for a song and then I'm on a hardcore Facebook/Instagram stalking binge. Don't go there. Your test is not, and will never be, on what was on your best friend's cousin's sister's boyfriend's profile. Stay focused, and have a go to list ready to keep you motivated.
9. An official form of taking notes.
Be consistent. Try to stick to one method of note taking whether it's on sheets of notebook paper or on your laptop. Using the same method for all of your classes will keep you better organized from spending half of the class trying to find the best way to take the notes and save you from having to remember which notes are where.
10. Time to yourself.
You can't count on making the most of your college experience if you don' take some time to relax or have a good time. Studying, going to class and making good grades are important, but so are you. Make sure that you aren't spending every night locked away in your room studying. Go to the party, binge watch that Netflix TV show or take a nap! Don't work yourself to the point of being unhappy and missing out on making memories or getting a good nights rest! Do things that you enjoy!
11. Information of your school's psychological/healthcare services.
Sometimes, that time to yourself or one night of R&R that I mentioned before just isn't enough and talking to someone or seeing a doctor is a must. This is kind of touchy subject, but it's important to seek help when you aren't feeling your best physically or mentally. Don't ignore what your body or your emotions could be telling you is wrong and seek help if you need it!
12. Knowledge of the other useful services on campus.
I swear there are services your school provides for you that you would have never thought existed, and they will change your life. Not to mention, your tuition is paying for it, so I would take full advantage of them.
13. An umbrella/rain jacket.
No, you may not skip class because it's raining, and you have to walk across campus. Be prepared. Attendance policies aren't forgiving and they certainly don't care if your hair is going to get wet or not.
14. A reliable list of people or services to call if you can't drive home.
Driving home drunk from a party is by far one of the worst mistakes you can make and can ruin/end your life. Make sure you have the Uber app or a reliable person to call if this ever happens.
15. Protection.
Yes, I am talking about that kind of protection. We are all adults and sometimes we engage in "adult related actions" such as sex, but let it be safe sex. Have some form of protection just in case. Better safe than sorry!
16. At least one professional looking outfit.
Some classes require that you wear more than an over sized T-shirt, a baseball hat or athletic shorts when presenting and it can hurt your grade if you don't dress like a grown-up. I know, this is so boring and uncomfortable, but it's a part of life. Also, you never know if you'll need it for an internship interview or something like that.
16.5 *This also reminds me that having a resume is super important. This isn't so much of a "college related" thing as much as it is a "life in general" thing
17. A printed copy for each course's syllabus/ schedule.
I find it super helpful to have a hard copy to refer to as needed. You never know when you'll have a question about a teacher's policies for that class and it saves you from running the risk of asking annoying questions that the syllabus already answers for you.
18. Proper e-mail etiquette.
When grade-grubbing or trying to convince your professor that you deserve to turn in your paper late, it is important that you e-mail them as if you are a completely well put together person who rarely makes mistakes such as the ones you are attempting to recover via the email you're sending. Be sure to use proper titles such as "Dr."or "Professor," always use a greeting and make sure you don't have any typos. This could make or break the opportunity you may be seeking to gain by sending the email.
There are probably so many other things I will regret not having mentioned on this list, but you're all big kids now and should be able to figure out some of this on your own! Best of luck and go (insert university mascot here)!
