Mikhail Blacer
If you're off to pursue a degree in a well-known university away from your hometown, it pays to be prepared. Though the prospect of independence and tomfoolery in college is thrilling, you may find yourself struggling in your freshman year. Anyway, here are must-have items a freshman student should possess before driving off to get a degree:
Obviously, you won't be able to bring a desktop computer to college, so you better resort to getting a laptop. And no, it should not contain gaming applications - use it for studying, research, and for doing your work. If you're an art major, be sure to have design software installed. For media studies students, install audio and video editing software. Generally, be sure that it has a decent word processing software installed, along with a large amount of internal storage. You might need it if you're taking review courses and programs - you'll need a computer to store your files!
Any Windows computer will do, but it's highly recommended to get a Mac (for work efficiency reasons).
Though wardrobe is a free-for-all when going to college, ensure that yours can be worn regardless of the season, and that you're comfortable with it. That aside, even if it's hot in where you're from, you still need to bring a couple of jackets: lecture halls and building interiors can be very cold.
And yes, don't forget to bring extra socks and underwear - also be sure to bring clothes hangers as folding your clothes can be a huge waste of time.
A planner may be seen as unnecessary, it's still needed. You will likely have a lot of engagements, exams, meetings, and social gatherings a week after you step inside the university. It's highly recommended to use a real, physical one, not software.
You'll find yourself aimless and forgetting commitments without a planner, so be sure to have one and make it a habit to write entries.
Though you're unlikely to bring your own chef's knives set to college, be sure to bring your own mug, plate, bowl, spoon and fork, and even a cleaning sponge to college. Some dorms provide kettles, frying pans, stoves, and microwaves on shared kitchens.
Why? Well, you can't exactly live off on fast food sandwiches and burgers - you'll need to cook your own food (and it pays to learn how. Plus, it'll be more convenient if you bring your own. Just so you know, not everybody likes lending their own utensils. Gross.
NOTE: Keep this a secret from EVERYBODY - and tell your roommate to do the same thing as well, or else fellow students will come to you in droves, printer guy/gal.
During panic periods, there will be thousands of students printing reports, requirements, and other materials. You don't want to be caught in the printer traffic queue - bring your own printer and type and pass documents at your own convenience.
There will come a time when you'll need medicine, a first aid kit, and the stuff found in your parents' medicine cabinet. These include:
