Top Ten Essentials for Life as a College Student

This September, a new crowd of high school graduates will start their first year of college. They will have to adjust to a variety of new experiences, and have a responsibility to be prepared. This includes buying school supplies, which are sold both on and off-campus. For these new students, here is a list of supplies they will find essential.

Text Books

College textbooks can be bought new or used through school-affiliated retail establishments, conveniently located on or near campus. However, Wikipedia reports that students who look beyond the campus bookstore can typically find lower prices. Online used book retailers, independent trading websites, and Internet textbook exchanges are available to help connect buyers with sellers. Students also sell or trade their books with other students.

Low-cost alternatives to owning textbooks are sometimes accessible in the form of rental services and library reserve copies.

Laptop computer

Since working around the schedule of a campus computer lab can be inconvenient, students who have their own computers may find it easier to do research and complete assignments.

PCWorld informs its readers, "The most highly evolved species of computer, the laptop (aka notebook) computer allows you to work without being tethered to an office." NetworkDictionary writes that laptops contain components that are similar to those in their desktop counterparts and perform the same functions but are miniaturized and optimized for mobile use and efficient power consumption.

According to Answers.com, common price ranges could be $500 to $2000. In an article published by Money Crashers, Erik Folgate recommends, "shop online for the best laptop deals as long as you feel comfortable enough to know what you are buying based on reading the tech specs."

Backpack

While spending all day on campus, it is a definite must to have something to help carry a heavy load of textbooks and other supplies. Pockets available on the inside and outside of the backpack provide great places to put a lunch, portable CD player, pencils and pens, etc. Backpacks are sold in stores and online, in a wide selection of colors and styles. Students choosing their backpack are advised to pick something that has strong straps and lies well, in order to prevent back strain.

Thumb Drive

A thumb drive can be extremely useful, having stable, portable memory storage without the need for a power supply, and the ability to fit into any computer's USB port. Users are able to write over it, and plug it in without having to restart the computer to gain access. Students who have a thumb drive can work on assignments in a computer lab, then save for later. Transfer to a home computer is also a possibility.

A large-capacity drive ranges in price from about $15-$75. It is written on wiseGEEK that a thumb drive is available anywhere computer supplies are sold.

Day Planner

In the article titled, "What is a Day Planner?" Malcolm Tatum writes, "Available in both hard copy and electronic versions, the day planner often functions as a tool to help persons organize a busy schedule, keep track of upcoming events, and maintain a list of ongoing commitments or tasks that must be accomplished on a recurring basis." School assignments can be recorded on each dated entry.

According to the website for Best of Time Management, discount and big chain retail stores and drugstores sell inexpensive, simple calendar-style day planners.

Graphing Calculator

Needed for several important math and science courses, a graphing calculator is described by Buy.com as "designed for surveying, engineering, math and science professionals and students." Texas Instruments gives information that many standardized tests and college entrance exams permit, or even require the use of a graphing calculator.

Free Math Help has reported on its website that graphing calculators are a little more difficult, and more expensive, to buy. Students who can't locate one at the campus store should try shopping at electronics or office-supply stores, or online retailers.

Spiral Bound College Ruled Notebooks

Spiral notebooks, available in a variety of styles and colors, are good for taking notes in class. Single sheets of paper can be lost, entries in journals might not have enough space, and it is impossible to record diagrams on a laptop. Notebooks can be bought wherever school supplies are sold.

Folders

Folders help separate paperwork for each class, making it easier for students to find what they need. Also, papers that are turned in with folders look more professional (Solid, quiet colors are recommended). They can be found wherever school supplies are sold, on and off-campus.

Stapler with staples

Printed worksheets that are handed out in class can be easy to lose, and confusing to keep in order. In an article published by suite101.com, Naomi Rockler-Gladen has written that one of the cheapest and most important school supplies a student can invest in is a pocket stapler to attach papers.

To buy a stapler and/or staples, look for stores that sell school and office supplies.

Writing Tools: Pencils, Pens, Highlighters

#2 pencils are required to fill out the bubble forms used for standardized college exams. In an article published by Associated Content, Zachary Fenell writes that the machines that grade the bubble forms can only read pencil.

Pens are good for taking notes in class, because pencil lead can suddenly run out or break. Having a smooth ink flow, G2 gel pens are recommended.

Highlighters are used to emphasize important notes, assignment instructions, and highlight important passages in text. Amy Brantley, a contributor for Associated Content wrote, "College textbooks are filled with great information and while you can write down this information it's much easier to highlight the text instead."

All of these supplies are essential because they help students to study effectively and organize their work. Well presented assignments that are completed on time results in better grades, and a more comprehensive learning experience while attending college.

Sources

1.)Wikipedia, "Textbook-Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia" Wikipedia

2.)PCWorld, "How to Buy a Laptop-PCWorld" PCWorld

3.)NetworkDictionary, "Computer and Networking Hardware Dictionary -L | NetworkDictionary" NetworkDictionary

4.)Answers.com, "WikiAnswers-How much does an notebok laptop cost" Answers.com

5.)Erik Folgate, "How To Save Money Buying A Laptop" Money Crashers

6.)A Kaminsky, "What is a Thumb Drive?" wiseGEEK

7.)Malcolm Tatum, "What is a Day Planner?" wiseGEEK

8.)Best of Time Management, "Day Planner | Personal Organizer" Best of Time Management

9.)Buy.com, "Buy.com - HP 50G Graphing Calculator" Buy.com

10.)Texas Instruments, "Graphing Calculators by Texas Instruments - US and Canada" Texas Instruments

11.)Free Math Help, "How to Buy a Calculator - Free Math Help" Free Math Help

12.)Naomi Rockler-Gladen, "School Supply Shopping for College Students: Cheap, Handy, & Essential Study Tools for Dorm Roo" suite101.com

13.)Zachary Fenell, "School Supplies for College Students - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com" Associated Content

14.)Amy Brantley, "Top Ten Must Have School Supplies for College - Associated Content - associatedcontent.com" Associated Content