Things College Freshmen Dont Need And 10 They Do
Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here’s how we make money.
Those ubiquitous checklists of dorm room essentials for college freshmen are filled with items that will be ditched by the end of first semester.
Some parents go to the store and grab a list like they did when their kids were in elementary and high school and just go straight down the list, says Lisa Heffernan, mother of three sons and a college-shopping veteran. Or they buy things they only wish their students will use .
You can safely skip about 70% of things on those lists, estimates Asha Dornfest, the author of Parent Hacks and mother of a rising college sophomore whos home for the summer.
Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo True Wireless Earbuds
A good pair of headphones come in handy during study time. The Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo offers solid sound quality, Amazon reviewers say, especially given their under-$50 price point. They’re a great pair of wireless earbuds for the gym, too: The Anker Soundcore Liberty Neo is IPX7 waterproof, offering protection well beyond sweat resistance. They last for 5 hours on a single charge, or for 20 hours when you recharge them using the included wired charging case.
What Not To Buy Or Bring
Freshmen really need just two things, says Heffernan, co-founder of the blog Grown and Flown: a good mattress topper and a laptop.
Here are seven items you can skip:
Printer. Dont waste desk space or, worse, store it under the bed printers are plentiful on campus.
TV. Students may watch on laptops or on TVs in common areas or in someone elses room. Bonus: Your teen gets out and meets others.
Speakers. Small spaces dont require powerful speakers earphones may be a good idea and respectful of roommates.
Car. Some colleges bar freshmen from having cars on campus or limit their parking. You also may save on insurance by keeping the car at home.
Luggage. If you bring it, you must store it. Heffernan suggests collapsible blue Ikea storage bags with zippers.
Toiletries to last until May. Bulk buying may save money, but you need storage space.
Duplicates of anything provided by the college, such as a lamp, wastebasket, desk chair or dresser.
Items left behind when students pack for the summer are telling. Luke Jones, director of housing and residence life at Boise State University, sees unopened food a lot of ramen and candy and stuffed animals and mirrors.
Jones says many students regret bringing high school T-shirts and memorabilia and some of their clothes .
You May Like: How To Transfer From One Cuny To Another
Volunteer Get An Internship Find An On Campus Job
No one desires to do things for free, but the experience is great for your mind to grow and for your resume to expand. This is the perfect time for you to explore occupations to see if what you want to do is actually want you want to do. Or, if you are not sure what you would like to do in the future, this will either help you figure it out or show you what you definitely do not want to do.
Final Thoughts On Things Every College Student Needs
So, that covers it! My list of unexpected things to bring to college with 22 college necessities ends here. I hope its helped you feel more prepared and confident about tackling your first year of college.
When youre ready to start packing for college, be sure to use my complete college packing list .
Seasoned college students what are some necessities for college that you cant live without?
Id love to know what things youre more than happy to keep around! If you think I missed any big college necessities leave a comment below.
Don’t Miss: Penn Foster Pharmacy Tech Reviews
Students Need These Essential Perspectives To Thrive In College
The college years are often idealized as being about a great social scene, some interesting classes, and preparation for a career. But, this image belies the reality that collegeand the transition to adulthood that accompanies itis often a rocky path. There are personal, social, and academic challenges that even the most “college ready” student will face, because this period of life is about change.
For many students, these changes include moving away from family , developing an adult identity, questioning the beliefs they were raised with, and choosing a career path. None of those are easy tasks, and the alarming statistics of depression, substance abuse, and misconduct on campuses are all signs that students are struggling with these changes.
In our work with students transitioning to college, we have found these five messages to be crucial to personal, social, and academic success on campus. While it’s important for students to hear them before they arrive at their dorms, they’ll likely need to continue to hear them as they move through their college years, too.
Sharing these perspectives as students head off to freshman year, then returning to them throughout their college years, is a powerful way to support students in taking control of their college experience.
What Are Some Dorm Room Essentials
This is a great list for college students, but especially a college freshman dorm room essentials list!
Think of it as a basic college dorm supply list and help to create some of the coolest college dorm rooms!
So, what to bring to college dorms and what are college apartment essentials for freshman?
Don’t Miss: Colleges That Are Still Accepting Applications
Laptop Notebook Or Tablet Computer
Whether you’re taking notes in class, doing research or writing papers, a portable computer is helpful. Choose a computer that is easy to use when typing. If you decide on a tablet, it may be worth the extra expense to purchase a portable keyboard to take notes and complete assignments.
Additionally, thanks to cloud sharing systems, it’s often possible to connect your device to the school’s wireless network for cheaper access. You might even be able to use that wireless connection to print assignments from the university computer lab — although an increasing number of professors expect you to upload your documents to a university content management system.
Your computer can also double as an entertainment device. You may not need a TV and a cable/satellite plan.
You can save money by purchasing a refurbished computer or last season’s model, heavily discounted to make shelf space for the latest version.
I Dont Know How It Works For Everyone But
When I was a freshman, my classes were automatically chosen for me. I showed up, they gave me a schedule, and this was my life for the next few months. Sure, I could have changed and swapped classes. But I didnt really know or understand what Id even change them to, and I assumed my college was looking out for me.
Maybe they were. Or maybe they just drew them out of a hat at random.
Either way, I was a freshman who had no idea what I wanted to major in but was confident I wasnt going to be graduating from my current college, and yet, I was taking some pretty specific classes chosen by someone who wasnt me.
Because of that, I ended up with
- Classes that didnt transfer properly.
- Requirements that had to be retaken
- Poorly chosen electives
- Wasted money
A few years down the road, I would realize I could have saved myself $5000+ by simply choosing better classes my freshmen year. I probably would have taken some cooler electives too. But I didnt know any better. A lot of freshmen dont.
So, Im going to give you some advice that no one ever passed my way.
You May Like: Sell My School Books
Life Skills Every College Student Needs To Know
Written by: Emily Young // Jul 8, 2019
You versus Life.
Sometimes it feels like an epic video game. You conquer everyday tasks only to face down even bigger obstacles . As with most video games, the challenges get harder the further you advance. To conquer college, youll need a powerful skill set. We can help you level-up your abilities and master the 10 life skills every college student needs to know.
Lets start playing.
Manage Your Time Well
There is a whole lot more to college than attending classes and taking exams. Successful students make time for extracurricular activities, internships, part-time jobs, and a healthy social & personal life outside of school. Its essential to manage your time well between all of these important life aspects. Setting a schedule can be really helpful for time management. You can make the schedule as rigid or loose as you wish, however you think itll serve you best. Some like to block out each hour of the day so they ensure that they stay on track with each activity or task, while others have a schedule thats more like a to-do list. Dont forget to include me time in your schedule to give your mind and body the chance to unwind. Without it, the pressure and stress of school eventually gets to you!
Read Also: Sell Back My College Books
Work Out In The Campus Fitness Center
Many students dont take advantage of all of the facilities college campuses have to offer. Check out the fitness center for a workout most will have a pool too! There are often free workout classes offered through the fitness center and some can even be taken for course credit.
You are only a freshman once make the most of your time on campus and living in the dorms. College is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so enjoy it. Go to events, socialize, and have fun!
More Great Reading:
An Informative Book On The Best Job
Promising review: “This is my second copy . I have used this since I graduated college 11 years ago for EVERY job I have applied for, even internally. It’s my good luck charm! The interview portion I always look at before I go into an interview. I recommend this to all my friends.” Allison K. Smith
Get it from Amazon for $13.59.
It’s our cheap pick for the best electric toothbrush on BuzzFeed Reviews.
Read Also: Is College Ave Student Loans Legit
Make An Appointment With Your Advisor
You should do this at least once or twice every semester to make sure you are on track to graduate. Always check to see if you are taking the right classes needed to get your degree. There might be classes that you are not aware about that you need to take, which all college freshmen need to know ASAP instead of last semester, senior year, right before graduation. Take classes that are required instead of just randomly choosing classes, but also take classes that peak certain interests because you might discover your future career goal.
A Simple But Effective Planner For Keeping Track Of Both Short
There are yearly, monthly, and weekly sections, with plenty of space to write in daily to-dos. It’s undated so you’re not limited to a certain time frame.
Promising review: “I was looking for a simple planner to help keep my life in order midway through the calendar year, which makes it difficult to find a decent one without wasting half the calendar. This planner allows you to personally add the calendar so you can start from any point in the year. That was what drew me to this planner to begin with, but it really wound up working for me by keeping me on track without any unnecessary frills. With prompts to set long-term goals for the year and short-term goals for the week, I find myself feeling organized and accomplished. A favorite feature of mine is the section each week of what my successes were and what I could do better for the next week. The Simple Elephant does a brilliant job of keeping me focused and mindful it is a staple in my bag wherever I go.” Gina
Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ .
This is actually our cheap pick for the best planner on BuzzFeed Reviews!
Don’t Miss: Is Ashworth Regionally Accredited
A Robot Vacuum So You Can Indulge In Your Lazy Side Once In A While Take A Nap While It Does All The Work
This robo-vac has an infrared-sensor for evading obstacles and drop-sensing tech to avoid falls. It also automatically recharges so it’s always ready to clean. It comes with a remote control , charging base, AC power adapter, cleaning tool, an extra set of high-performance filters, four side brushes, and five cable ties. It can clean continuously for up to 100 minutes.
Promising review: “My husband bought me this for my college graduation gift. I cant say anything bad about this robo vac! I love it! I have hardwood in the living room, tile in the kitchen, and carpet in the bedrooms. We have a Labrador Retriever inside so there’s lots of hair and its doing a great job picking it up!” karissa leeann windham
Get it from Amazon for $224+ .
Dorm Room Essentials In : The Ultimate College Dorm Checklist
All products featured on Teen Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
After a year of studying virtually remembering all the dorm room essentials you need to cross off the list can be quite overwhelming. But that doesn’t mean it’s an impossible shopping task. Whether you’re moving back to your dorms or you’re still studying from home, over at Teen Vogue we’ve broken out the list of essentials into different categories, making your back-to-school shopping even easier.
However, its extremely important to note that different colleges have specific rules on what you can and cannot have in your room especially when it comes to kitchen supplies, extra furniture, and so definitely make sure to check your schools website before your RA confiscates that mini-fridge or that coffee maker during your first week of college.
Now, without further ado, scroll down to find the ultimate college checklist. From bed sets and desk lamps to face masks and backpacks, we’ve got you covered:
You May Like: Brandon Charnas/instagram
Or A Subscription To Plated If You Feel Super Lost About Cooking And Meal Planning You’ll Get The Recipes And Exact Ingredients In A Box So It’s Easy To Get Started
You can choose how many meals per week and servings per meal you want, then you get to pick from 20 new recipes each week. You’ll receive an insulated box with all the dishes you picked, complete with ingredients and recipe cards. It’s flexible, too you can skip weeks, swap recipes, and cancel anytime. Read our review of Plated !
Sign up at Plated starting at $9.95/serving.
Tips Every College Freshman Should Know
A mixture of online resources and tips learned through experience
Freshman year of college can be super fulfilling, fun, and even mind expanding. But it can also be a time of realizing you dont really know how to operate in the real world. While the new level of freedom college students obtain can be great, there are certainly times when you just really dont know what to do. Luckily tons of people have made it through to tell the tale. Heres a list of 51 tips college graduates wish they had known when they first showed up on campus. Good luck, and have fun!
Lifestyle
Grades
You May Like: Volunteer Work For College Applications
Challenge Two: Be Professional
College job opportunities will happen sooner than youd think. To prep for this round, role-play the experience of job interviewing. Figure out how to tie a tie, if you ever plan on wearing one. Get comfortable with video conferencing tools, which will be used for virtual interviews during COVID-19. Refine the art of the professional email.
For additional training:
- Watch this video on how to nail a job interview.
- Take this quiz to match a job to your interests.
A Beginner’s Tool Kit With Everything You Need To Assemble Your Ikea Furniture Hang Up Photos Change The Shower Head Etc
This kit comes with *deep breath* a drill/driver, a 20v lithium ion battery, a charger, a storage bag, a tape measure, an adjustable wrench, a pair of needle nose pliers, two manual screwdrivers, a utility knife, a slip joint pliers, a 12 oz. hammer, a ratcheting screwdriver, four hole saws with mandrel, 32 screwdriving bits, a magnetic bit holder, ten drilling bits, and five spade bits.
Promising review: “I finally decided to buy a drill after my most recent move. I had things to install around the house, my dresser needed new holes drilled for the mirror attachment, curtains to hang, and I didn’t want to have to have everything ready to go all in one day so I could rent a drill. Plus, as a renter, two to three drill rentals equals the cost of this kit, and this is obviously a much better value, so if you have the money in your budget, absolutely buy. Definitely would recommend for the hobbyist crafter, fix-it-yourself-er, or renter.” Jennifer Diane
Get it from Amazon for $79.
Read Also: Cape Fear Community College Financial Aid Office