Are you an incoming college freshman? As you prepare for your exciting new journey, it’s important to stock up on the right school supplies. While basic items like pens, pencils, and notebooks are a given, there are a few tools that you may not have considered.
We’ve compiled a list of the top 5 school supplies every college freshman should buy to help you navigate your first year:
1. Upgrade to a Graphing Calculator
If you’ve been relying on a basic scientific calculator since high school, it’s time for an upgrade. Unless you’re a mathematical genius like Matt Damon in “Good Will Hunting,” chances are you’ll encounter math courses in your general education studies.
Whether it’s statistics, economics, or advanced mathematics, you’ll need a graphing calculator to tackle complex equations and crunch numbers effectively.
2. Multicolored Highlighters for Better Organization
One significant difference between high school and college is that you’ll be responsible for your own textbooks. But here’s the exciting part – you can write in them! Make the most essential information stand out by using multicolored highlighters.
By color-coding key points, definitions, and important concepts, you’ll be able to review and study more efficiently.
3. Adhesive Page Markers for Easy Reference
To optimize your learning experience, make your textbooks as efficient as possible. Adhesive page markers are the perfect solution. Instead of dog-earing corners or flipping through pages endlessly, use these little strips to bookmark important sections.
Take it a step further and assign different colors to indicate specific topic points. This will make it easy to find and review important information when studying or writing papers.
4. Invest in an External Hard Drive
Throughout your college journey, you’ll accumulate an enormous amount of digital files – handouts, syllabuses, essays, class notes, and more. To protect your hard work and avoid the devastating loss of your files, invest in an external hard drive. With a decent-sized drive (around 500GB of storage), you can backup and store all your important files securely.
Even if your laptop malfunctions or gets stolen, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your valuable work is safe.
5. Stay Organized with a Cork Board
While not exactly an item you can carry in your backpack, a cork board is a valuable school supply. In a digital age, it’s important to find a balance between technology and tangible reminders. Hang a cork board in a visible spot, such as above your bed or on the back of your door. Utilize it to pin important “to-do” lists, reminders, and even receipts.
Having your tasks and commitments visually displayed will help you stay on top of your schedule and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
Conclusion
As you embark on your college journey, these essential school supplies will set you up for success. From tackling math equations to organizing your textbook notes and files, investing in these tools will undoubtedly enhance your academic experience.
Be prepared, stay organized, and make the most of your freshman year!
