Commercials are on repeat, discounts are everywhere and people are beginning to ask you, "So, what are you studying?". Readers, it's back-to-school season.
Most of us have already wiped our tears and were (involuntarily) flung back into the schooling system. Only a few lucky ones are still gripping desperately to their final weeks of summer vacation, but whether you're in school or soon-to-be there are just some things that every college student needs to have on deck at all times. This week, I'll be giving you guys some of the most important necessities for college that will make your year a lot easier.
But, wait! Did you hear that? It's my heart beating for you! Welcome back, readers! If you're new here, this is my blog where I motivate, give guides and drop lots of advice about creativity, school and lifestyle! If you haven't, you should definitely subscribe so you can get notified every time I drop a new post and don't forget to click that little heart icon at the end of this post because it helps fuel my ego! Alright, now that that's done this is: College Student Essentials for 2019.
1. Microsoft Office Suite
Being a paperless student is a huge trend right now and it's a transition I think everyone should at least consider. There are a lot of benefits that come with being a paperless student but even if you aren't, having Microsoft Office Suit is a must. If you make an OneDrive account, syncing between your phone, laptop and tablet is as easy as one, two, three.
Microsoft's Office Suite not only comes with staples like Word, Excel and PowerPoint that literally everyone uses anyway, but with other great apps like OneDrive, OneNote, and Teams, you're basically doing yourself a disservice if you don't get it. The power of the suit, I think, really comes out when you have them on all your devices. For productivity, this will change your life. Thank me later.
2. Water bottle
This is important! Okay, I know you can just, you know, buy water but that's more plastic and if big world leaders (*cough* Trump *cough*) aren't going to do anything about the state of our environment then I think the rest of us should at least try. No but, especially if you're going into college you'll be walking around like a maniac so staying hydrated is a must.
There are many options for water bottles, you can get one with a straw, plastic or metal, big, small, pink, black, the options are literally endless. So, you have no excuse if you end up collapsing on school property because you were dehydrated. With that said, if you find yourself running from class to class quite often (like myself), do yourself a favor and just get a water bottle.
Reduce your waste, stay hydrated and save money, readers.
3. Battery Pack
Picture this, you're in a class, nowhere near an outlet and you realize your phone is on 1%. Oh no, that means you have to actually pay attention to what the teacher is saying. The travesty. Listen, there is no telling what can happen at college whether you get caught up or forgot to charge your phone the night before, there are lots of ways your phone can die. And if your phone is dead, then what's the point in continuing to live at all?
No but, in all seriousness, having a charged phone is a necessity and you can't walk around with a dead phone. Save yourself the trouble and get yourself a Battery Pack. Anything over 10,000 mAH is fine.
4. Planner
A planner, what? In college? Oh yeah, we have actual work.
If you're going into college without a planner, readers, your setting yourself up for failure. I'm actually being serious about that part. I think everyone needs a central place with everything. That includes:
Your Timetable/Schedule
Your Teachers' Names, Emails and Office Hours
Assignments that are due
Goals
Class Requirements (textbooks, materials, what you need to carry for next class)
Having all this in one place ensures your year will be 1000% smoother. You don't have to find yourself flipping through loose paper or, worse, your memory, to find the fundamentals of your class. If you have all this in one place, that equals to more energy that you can use on getting actual work done and doing it well.
If you're going paperless or just prefer apps in general, there are lots of apps designed for student planning. I recommend Timepage by Moleskin but it should be noted that they have a subscription fee. Or, you can just buy a planner from literally any where and make it your little student companion.
5. Mints
Okay, yes, having good breath is important but that's not the reason this is here. Have you ever sat in a class and legit felt yourself losing focus, getting bored, or just wanting to sleep? Well, pop one of these bad boys in and viola! No more. At least for me, I find it really helpful and it just sorta works. I think its because it helps to keep your mind busy and active so it's harder to stay still and drift off. Whatever it is, it works!
6. A Simple Tee and A Simple Shoe
If you think you're going into college wearing a new outfit everyday, consider me your reality check. By the end of the first semester, you'll have blazed through your entire closet so let's invest in some essentials starting now.
I've talked about plain basic tees in the past, but they are a must-have because you could wear them ten times and no one would ever know. You can dress them up or dress them down quite easily and it's as if you're wearing something brand new. Plus, they go with everything so on those days where you slept through alarm and need to throw something on real quick, these are your go-to's.
Speaking of go-to's, a pair of white/black sneakers will be your best friend. They go with every single thing in your closet and when you simply cannot afford to take the time to think about what you're wearing, these bad boys come in clutch!
7. Formal Clothes
I know you might kind of be a bit confused at this one but hear me out. If you're living in dorm in an on campus residence, there will be loads of opportunities, to network, or get a job or attend formal events in general. You can't show up in a tee shirt and ripped skinny jeans.
I feel like this is so underrated and no one realizes that in college you're kind of an adult and you'll kind of be doing adult things so actually dressing like an adult is going to happen more often than you think. You don't have to bring like three dress shirts and dress shoes and the whole deal but be sure to have at least two outfits of formal clothing that you can grab at any time, just in case.
8. Headphones
For obvious, reasons: drowning out lectures, listening to music, listening to podcasts etc. Headphones are just a thing that one should never leave the house without. And for such a special occasion as college, I have options for you:
Lower Tier: Skullcandy Earbuds
Mid tier: TaoTronics Bluetooth Headphones/Beats x
Upper Tier: Beats Studio 3 Wireless/Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones
Personally, I have the beats x wireless and they are great because they connect to my iPhone automatically and if push comes to shove, I can use them with my laptop. Plus, their wireless so it's a lot easier and no need to detangle. But, any of those options are great at those price points and you'll be glad you bought them.
P.S. Apple is having a sale right now for students where if you buy a mac, you get beats headphones for free. Go off, I guess.
9. iPad
This might come down to a personal preference but I'm a firm believer in packing what you need. Your bag doesn't have to weigh ten pounds all the time, readers. If you can download a PDF of your textbook, download the slide before class and your class doesn't require a laptop, an iPad can really be all you need.
Especially with Apple's new iPad line, it's now more affordable than ever to get a good iPad because there are lots of options for everyone at different price points. Even if you're not a fan of Apple, Windows has some pretty great substitutes as well that are sure to tickle your fancy.
So embrace the times, readers. The future is upon us.
10. An Umbrella
I have learnt my lesson from high school.
Readers, an umbrella is not something you can just forget and go "oh, lemme just grab one real quick." No! By the time you realize you need an umbrella it is always too late. Always. And then you're just stuck wherever you are, stranded, looking a damn fool. And then if you decide to run through the rain, you risk getting your electronics wet, catching a cold and you'll be stepping into class dripping wet.
This new school year, we're carrying umbrellas all semester, readers.
Conclusion
Also, now might be a good time to mention that your boy is going to Canada after all! Yes, readers, if you read my last blog post then you already know what went down but things are looking up again and I'm so grateful.
If you guys found this post useful be sure to click that little heart icon because I need your validation! Also, feel free to comment below and let me know which of these ten essentials you're definitely going to get!
If you want to read more stuff from me feel free to follow me on Wattpad and Medium so you can read all my works and Twitter and Instagram where I occasionally rant, share music and discuss the pains of being a creator. Oh, also, I share sneak peeks of my novel and new blog posts at times too, if you're into that. Have fun at college, readers!
