#university life
It’s time to pack up and head back (or to college for the first time!) to college, and you only have so much room in your car to get your gear there. How do you prioritize your belongings and pack only what you need? After all, a dorm room is about half (or less) of the size of your room at your parents’ house. You don’t want to bring more than you need because you’ll probably just end up having to bring it all home again at summer break.
Here is a list built to help you decide what you really need to take and what you can leave at home.
1) Bedding
-mattress cover (Lots of people have slept on that mattress in the dorm room.)
-comforter or duvet and duvet cover
-foam mattress top (if you think you’ll need extra cushion)
-pillowcases (2)
-blankets (2)
-sheet set (2) (Wash one; use one.)
2) Room
-additional seating (if you have extra room, say in a house or apartment)
-adhesive hooks and strips (to hang up your decorations and not get in trouble for ruining the walls)
-alarm clock (if you don’t use your smartphone for this already)
-rug (to cover up the nasty linoleum tile or carpet in your dorm)
-bulletin board / dry erase board (for roommate communication, scheduling, decoration, reminders)
-bedside table
-couch/chair (for apartment / house)
-coffee table (for apartment / house)
-curtain rods (if not in the rooms already)
-lamps
-full-length mirror
-hangers
-organizers for jewelry, closet, shoes, etc. (Consider over-the-door hangers for towels and clothes, too.)
-photos
-push pins, magnets, whiteboard markers
-trash cans
-bins for storage under the bed
-wall art
3) Laundry
-bleach
-drying rack
-detergent (fabric softener, dryer sheets, stain remover, etc.)
-iron / ironing board
-lint brush / pet hair roller
-quarters (if you don’t have a washer/dryer in your apartment or house, or you’re in a dorm)
-sewing kit
-laundry bag
-laundry basket / hamper
4) Kitchen
-blender
-broom
-dish soap
-dish rags / towels
-sponge
-dishwasher detergent
-blender
-toaster
-toaster oven
-microwave
-can opener
-chip bag clips
-coffee maker
-dishes and silverware
-dust pan
-hand soap
-minifridge (if you’re in a dorm)
-oven mitt
-paper plates and silverware
-paper towels
-plastic wrap
-sandwich bags
-freezer bags
-reusable water bottle
-mop (Swiffer, if you’re feeling rich)
-bucket
-aluminum foil
-plastic storage containers
-pots and pans (if you’re in an apartment or house)
-water filter pitcher
-electric kettle
-trash bags
5) Bathroom
-wash cloths / towels
-robe
-bathroom cleaning supplies (gloves, shower / toilet / sink and counter cleaner, toilet brush, toilet cleaner, etc.)
-rug
-shower caddy
-shower cap / shoes
-shower curtain and rings (if needed)
6) Toiletries
-acne medication / face wash
-soap / body wash
-shampoo
-conditioner
-deodorant
-hair gel / mousse / hair spray
-eye cream
-lip balm
-lotion
-makeup
-makeup remover
-moisturizer
-mouthwash
-nail polish / remover
-shaving cream
-razor
-sunscreen
-toothbrush
-toothpaste
-blow dryer
-straightener
-bobby pins, hair ties, etc.
-brush / comb
-contacts, solution, case
-extra glasses, eyeglass cleaner, case
-cotton balls / cotton swabs
-floss
-hair curlers
-hand mirror
-headbands
-nail clippers / file
-feminine hygiene products
-tissues
-toilet paper
-tweezers
7) Clothing
-tennis shoes
-bathing suit
-bras
-casual shoes
-dress shoes
-dresses
-purse
-gloves
-gym bag
-hat
-jeans
-jacket
-jewelry
-leggings
-long-sleeved and short-sleeved shirts
-pajamas
-slacks
-boots (regular / rain)
-scarves
-shorts
-skirts
-slippers
-socks
-tank tops
-tights
-underwear
-coat
-workout cloths
8) tech
-batteries
-camera
-chargers (phone, laptop, camera, etc.)
-dvd player
-dvds
-e-reader
-ethernet cable
-extension cords
- external hard drive
-flash drives
-hdmi cable
-headphones and spare headphones
-ipod/mp3 player
-keyboard
- lap desk
-laptop
-laptop case
-microsoft office
-portable phone charger
-printer
-printer ink
-printer paper
-recording device for lectures
-router
-sd card for camera
-spare cables
-speakers
-surge protectors
-tablet
-tv
-tv stand
-video game consoles
-video games
-wireless mouse
9) Documents
Bank documents (account information, check and savings accounts transaction records)
-car registration and insurance information
-checks
-copy of birth certificate
-copy of social security card
-credit card
-debit card
-driver’s license
-emergency contact list
-enrollment documents
-financial aid documents
-health/dental insurance cards
-lease (if you have an apartment or house)
-passport
-product warranties
-renters’ insurance (if you have an apartment or house)
-student id
10) Desk/school supplies
-backpack or tote bag
-binder clips
-binders
-business cards
-calculator
-calendar
-clicker (if you need one for class)
-desk chair
-desk lamp
-desk organizer
-envelopes
-erasers
-file folder for important documents
-folders
-glue
-highlighters
-hole punch
-index cards
-journal
-laptop fan/stand
-leisure books (one or two)
-letter opener
-notebook paper
-notebooks
-notepads
-paper clips
-pencil case
-pencil sharpener
-pencil
-pencil lead (for mechanical pencils)
-pens/colored pens
-planner
-portfolio/portfolio case for interviews
-post-it notes
-rubber bands
-ruler
-scissors
-stamps
-staple remover
-stapler
-staples
-tape
- textbooks
-three-hole punch
-wite-out
11) Medical
-allergy medicine
- aloe lotion
-antiseptic wipes
-bandages
-cold and flu medicine
-cortisone cream
-decongestant
-eye drops
-first aid kit
-hot and cold packs
-humidifier
-insect repellent
-multivitamins
-over-the-counter pain medication
-prescription medicine
-prescription refill information
-retainer/mouth guard
-rubbing alcohol
-supplements (iron pills, etc.)
-thermometer
-throat drops/lozenges
-throat spray
-upset stomach medication
-vaseline
12) misc.
-art supplies
-beach towel
-bike
-bike helmet
-bike lock
-board games
-duct tape
-earplugs
-fan
-flashlight
-lightbulbs
-luggage tags
-musical instruments
-pepper spray (if legal in your state)
-playing cards
-religious materials
-safety pins
-safety whistle
-sleep mask
-sports equipment
-suitcases
-tool kit
-travel bags/travel organizer for toiletries
-umbrella
-vacuum and vacuum bags
-weekend bag
This list is just to get you started. Customize it for your purposes, and have a great semester!
Exams can eat you alive if you don’t plan to study for them in the right way. The key to acing exams is to make a plan of attack and then to stick to it. Here are some tips to help you get the best grades possible on tests.
1) Don’t Wait to Study.
Did your professor tell you you’re having a test in two weeks? Start studying today. Just 20 or 25 minutes of studying now can cut way down on the time you have to study the night or two before the test. Review what you studied the previous day before you start studying new material. Do this every day, and you’ll have just about everything memorized and ready to apply on the test.
2) Make a Study Schedule.
We suggests that you create a study schedule so that you know you have a specific time set aside every day to study, and only to study. Treat studying like you would your time out with your friends or your workouts. The time is to be used only for studying.
3) Don’t Procrastinate on Your Reading Assignments.
Read your chapters and articles as they are assigned. Regularly review them before exams so that the information stays fresh in your mind. Create a summary of the important points in each article to make it fast and easy to remember what you need to for the test.
4) Go to Class Right Before the Exam.
Another suggestions is that you go to class right up to the day of the test in case the professor gives some vital information related to the test. You don’t want to miss that!
5) Create a Study Guide.
Throughout the semester, add important concepts (without examples, if you want to make the guide shorter) from your lectures, textbooks, articles, notes, tutorials, and any other source of exam material to the study guide. Organize the information into a few pages in a way that makes sense to you. Maybe use different colors to highlight important types of information (formulas, vocabulary, dates, names, etc.)
6) Make Flash Cards.
Flash cards are helpful tools for studying and short-term memorization, but don’t make them your only study material. They are good for definitions, formulas, and dates, especially.·
7) Get Rid of Distractions.
Turn your phone off, and avoid texting or checking email while you study. Play some music if you focus better with it. Many people focus better with music without lyrics. ·
8) Ask Yourself Questions and Paraphrase.
Ask yourself questions about the material you’re learning. This can help you anticipate exam questions. Also, paraphrase what you read to be sure that you understand it. Do this out loud if you’re an auditory learner, or try writing it out if you’re a kinesthetic or visual learner. ·
9) Make Visuals. Create charts, graphs, flow charts, and other visual material to help you understand complex processes and ideas. Breaking concepts down in this way will give you another way to comprehend the lessons. ·
10) Create Your Own Tests.
Write questions you think would be on the test. Then take your own test. Look for old tests from your professor. Ask people who took the class before for their old tests. Some of the questions may be the same. Your textbook probably has some online quizzes or practice tests in the book. ·
11) Take Breaks.
Some people say you should study 25 minutes with a 5 minute break. Others, say study 50, and take a break for 10. This gives your mind time to relax and reset. ·
12) Write Down Questions.
If you don’t understand something, write down the questions so that you can ask your professor or talk about them with a friend. ·
13) Study with a Friend or Group.
The more people talk about and review an idea, the better chance you’ll all have of learning from each other. Maybe someone in the group says something about a particular concept that you will remember because he said it in a novel way that helped you understand it better.
Once you have your diploma in-hand, it’s time to start thinking about your financial future and planning for it, if you haven’t already begun to do so. Once you get a full-time job (again, if you haven’t had one already), you’ll have a steady income to start saving, investing, and spending. Here are some tips from Forbes.com to help you get started making smart financial decisions.
1.) Budget
It will take a few months, but keep track of what you’re spending on utilities, rent, gas, insurance, groceries, entertainment, clothes, etc. This will help you figure out how much money you can safely spend each month without running into financial troubles from spending more than you earn. Write down how much money you’re bringing in from work each month as well. Then start to flesh out your budget and stick to it. Remember to create a budget category for emergencies like a new set of tires for your car or a trip to the emergency room. Also, keep your expenses down while you establish yourself financially.
2.) Look for Student Discounts
College students should become masters at exploring the ways their educational status can save them money. Vendors, local venues, restaurants, and services near college campuses often offer student discounts that could save your freshman big money during the first year. What’s more, by looking for discounts, students learn the value of hunting down great deals.
3.) Stay Out of Debt.
If you don’t have debt payments, you can have more choices when it comes to your career. If you don’t have to meet a ridiculously high salary level every year to ensure you pay on your debt each month, you can apply for jobs that have lower salaries, but which you might like much more than one that pays six figures annually. Also, potential employers do credit checks on applicants, and you might not get a job offer at all if your credit report comes back with a high debt to income ratio.
Debt is incredibly hard to avoid, though. Forbes.com reports that a Fidelity Investments study found that 70 percent of the 2013 graduating class had an average debt of $35,200.
4.) Get Rid of Your Debt Fast.
Paying down and eliminating your debt should be your top financial priorities after graduation. If you have student loans, your payment on them is not just a monthly obligation you have to pay: it is an evil if your life that you must annihilate quickly. You may have to work more hours, get another job, start freelancing, or spending less money on eating out or buying clothes, but you will thank yourself in the long-run. When that debt is gone, you have more monthly income to spend as you want, and you can start thinking about bigger purchases, such as a house or new car.
Even if you can only save another $20 per month, that can help reduce the amount of interest you pay over the life of the loan. You may also be able to save some money by having the payment automatically deducted from your bank account each month. This can reduce the interest rate in some cases.
5.) Set Up an Emergency Fund.
You never know when life is going to throw you a curve ball or dump everything it has on you at once. Set up an emergency fund with at least three to six months’ of living expenses. Shoot for a year, but this can take a significant time to accumulate. If you’re suddenly laid off or have medical expenses, these savings can keep you afloat financially. Stash your money in a money market mutual fund or a bank savings account.
6.) Move in with your parents
Anything ! To keep housing costs down. This presumes they’re cool with the idea and won’t charge you rent. You’ll then be able to devote the money you save on housing to cutting your debt and increasing your savings.
7.) Start Investing Now.
You’ve got time on your side, and this gives your money more time to multiply. Buy stocks or mutual funds. Check out the National Endowment for Financial Education or SmartAboutMoney.org for free information that explain the fundamentals of investing. You can also learn about investing through a community college class or through a workshop from a group like the American Association of Individual Investors that does not sell anything financially-related.
8.) Put Money in your Retirement Account.
If you’re under the age of 50, you can put in up to $17,500 into 401(k) or other similar retirement plans. The money is taken out of your paycheck automatically, and it’s tax deductible. The money is tax-deferred until you take it out. If you can afford it, put as much money into your account as your company will match. Many employers will contribute a certain amount to your account if you do so yourself each month, so take advantage of it. It’s free retirement money. Employers typically require employees to save four to six percent to receive the highest match. You might be wary about tying up your money, but it’s worth it to have that money down the line.
