School Supply Shopping for College Students
Cheap, Handy, & Essential Study Tools for Dorm Rooms and Apartments
Jul 14, 2009
For college students, school supply shopping isn't nearly as much fun as it was back in elementary school. Sadly, college students don't have much need for big boxes of crayons and superhero lunchboxes (although there's no reason why they shouldn't buy these items if they really want them). Nonetheless, college students still need to shop for school supplies.
So, other than the basics – like pens, paper, and a computer – what kinds of school supplies do students need most? Here are some items that students might overlook when shopping for college, but that may come in very handy.
School Supplies for Organizing Papers
In college, students suddenly find themselves with more pieces of paper to organize than ever before – financial aid forms, credit card bills, receipts, syllabi, and so forth. When pieces of paper mount up, it's time to get organized. Students can create a simple file system with manila folders, hanging folders, and a file drawer (if this isn't available, try using an upside down milk crate).
For papers that need to be handy, a bulletin board is very useful. Other students prefer to use "in/out" trays. For writing down random thoughts and to-do lists, a whiteboard can be helpful as well.
School Supplies for Organizing Assignments and Notes
Of course, it's also important to organize school work assignments. Many students do this electronically with software like Outlook or cell phone apps, but others prefer to write down assignments in an old-fashioned day planner.
For organizing course notes, a tool that many students find very helpful is a voice recorder. These can be a lifesaver in classes where the professor drones on and on.
Technological advances or not, one of the most handy school supplies remains the plain old highlighter. For many students, this is the easiest way to mark important passages in the readings and in their notes. A more "modern" tool, the Post-it Note, can be used in similar ways.
School Supplies for Turning in Papers
In the near future, all papers may be turned in electronically. Until that time, students will continue to annoy professors by turning in papers that are attached by crumpled pages. One of the cheapest and most important school supplies a student can invest in is a pocket stapler to attach papers. For bigger papers and projects, small black binder clips and rubber bands will do the trick. Paper clips aren't all that handy for attaching papers because they come loose, but these are handy to have around for other uses.
School Supplies for Computer Needs
There are all kinds of expensive tools a student can buy for their school computer, but there's only a few things that are essential. First, it's important to use a zip drive, memory stick, or other method of backing up information.
Second, it's important to use equipment that is ergonomically correct. This doesn't mean that students need to spend a fortune, but it's important to have a comfortable mouse and mouse pad, a reasonable desk chair, and a keyboard that's big enough to see without getting eyestrain. Although laptop computers are fantastic tools, students should seriously consider hooking up the laptop to a large monitor, external keyboard, and mouse when they are using their computers at home.
Is a printer a necessity? Probably not, if there are printers available on campus, but owning a printer can save time and prevent hassles.
Shopping for Essential School Supplies
College students need to purchase school supplies to help them organize their papers and school work. They also need to be able to attach papers and use their computers effectively. None of these concepts are as fun as a superhero lunchbox, but at this stage in life, they're every bit as important.
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