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With the new school year already upon us, this means many people are coming to campus for the first time. Starting college is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful. There are a lot of things you need to get and prepare for, which can become a little overwhelming. Below, we’ll detail six things practically everyone should have when they’re starting college.
Dorm Furnishings
First of all, if you’re going to live on campus, you’ll need to stock up on supplies for your dorm room. What you’ll need will depend on a few factors, such as the furnishings provided by your university and who you’ll be living with. Commonly, students will need to bring furniture items like a microwave and refrigerator, while items like your desk, desk chair, dresser, and bed are all provided.
Beyond these basic essentials, you’ll then want to move on to the things you need for everyday life. This includes things like bedding, clothes hangers, storage containers, cleaning supplies, and bathroom essentials. We highly recommend using a list of common dorm necessities to ensure you don’t forget anything.
Finally, coordinate with your roommates before moving in. You don’t want to show up on moving day with your microwave only to find that your roommate also brought a microwave and no one brought a refrigerator. Among the shared items, work out who will bring what to make sure everything is covered.
A Reliable Computer
A common requirement for attending college these days is a computer. Many classes will have you complete your assignments on a computer and may even have you submit them over the Internet. While most campuses provide free computers to use in a library or computer lab, you don’t want to have to rely on these for all your work. Instead, invest in an affordable computer, such as a simple laptop. There are many options available that are great for taking notes in class, browsing the web, and completing essays.
Some New Clothes
Next, you may want to invest in some new clothing items. College is a time to meet new people and learn more about yourself. The clothes you wear say a lot about you and are a big factor in first impressions. This doesn’t mean you have to go out and buy an entire wardrobe full of the latest styles, but some new, fresh pieces can help you feel more confident heading into a new environment.
Spend some time exploring the latest in men’s clothing, like these teen guy jeans from Aeropostale. Pick out a few pieces that are affordable yet versatile so that you can wear them as a part of multiple outfits. Also, be sure to take into account the climate of your campus and dress appropriately for the weather.
Basic School Supplies
Since you’re going to college, you’ll, of course, need some basic school supplies. While a lot of work is now done on computers, this doesn’t mean you won’t need, or even prefer, some of the traditional supplies. Grab some notebooks or binders if you plan on taking hand-written notes. Similarly, you’ll want plenty of comfortable pens for all this writing. A few other basic supplies you might want to get are a stapler, a calculator, highlighters, and page tabs for sorting your notebooks.
A Plan for Food
Living on your own means figuring out what to eat every day. You have several options for each meal, depending on your food preferences and budget. The most common option is to take advantage of a school meal plan and visit one of the campus’s dining halls. Each day, they feature new foods, helping students maintain a healthy and varied diet.
For those times you don’t want to eat at a dining hall, you can always pick up groceries for your dorm room. Find some foods that are easy to make in the microwave or that don’t need much preparation. Finally, you can find plenty of local restaurants near campus for dining out or have it delivered to your dorm.
A Way to Get Around
The last thing you’ll need is a way to get around. It’s a good idea to plan out your transportation method before arriving on campus so that you can have everything you need. For example, if you’re commuting to campus, you may want to explore bus or train pass options. If you’re living on campus but a far distance from your classes, a bike is an excellent option for getting around. Walking is also an option; just be sure you know how long it takes to get around so you aren’t late for classes!
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