Hi! Do you have any must-haves for college? Like planning and stuff? thanks xx
Hey! Here are the things I’d recommend:
a backpack - the best solution for carrying around a lot of things! I tried going with a shoulder bag on my first day of university and it was the worst thing ever!!!! Never again will I do that to myself! Get yourself a sturdy backpack with strong straps! You, your back and your shoulders will thank me later! I use a 13″ laptop version Fjallraven Kanken, it is really awesome. Very practical, comfy and waterproof. My only dislike is how the zips go so far around the whole bag. I always get nervous that someone behind me will unzip it and steal my purse or whatever it sitting at the bottom.
a 4 ring binder (and plastic sleeves) - any brand will do really! I would recommend getting one per subjects since it saves running out of space if you try to fit things into one. It is also sometimes cheaper to purchase several at once! This stay at home though.
notebooks - I use a single Arc Notebook for all my subjects and love it. I find it easier to have a single notebook with dividers, rather than carrying several individual books. However, any notebook(s) would be fine. You can decide if you’d like spiral, A4 or A5, etc.
OR a tablet for digital notetaking - this depends on how you plan to do your notes but I’ve recently been using our family iPad Pro for university and absolutely love it. It is so convenient, easy to use, and fun! Writing with the pencil is so smooth. I can change colours, mistakes, placement so fast. I think it has helped me be much more productive than any other semester! Here are some digital things I have on my Etsy!
planner - this can be any you like or even digital version! I tend to go for smaller planner if I’m actually taking it to uni. Here is are some recommendations. Here is a review on the Mossery Co planner. Here is my 2017 bullet journal. Here is a detailed pros and cons list of a planner vs bullet journal. There is also my printable or digital 2018 student planner or 2018 weekly planner :-)
pens - I would recommend getting a pack with a selection of colours. I usually recommend the Staedtler 432 pens since they’re well priced, easily accessible, come in packs and don’t smudge. I don’t see the point in buying huuuuge packs with a million pens but 10 to 12 is more than enough. I really like the Zebra Sarasa though - they’re so nice but are gel pens! Other pens I like are the Pilot G2 and Juice, Staedtler Triplus Fineliners, Muji Gel Pens. Obviously, you don’t need a million different packs! To be super simple, I’d say the Zebra Sarasa are a great start. Here is a more detailed comparison though!
highlighters - I use the cool, warm and light packs of the Zebra Mildliners. I’ve used the Stabilo Swing Cool in the past and they were good! I think having a selection that matches your pens is so helpful when you’ve organised a colour code.
pencil case - I only take a few pens to uni so my pencil is only small. I don’t think it’s necessary to take a huge pencil case so just any will be okay! I have one from Muji and one from Emma Bridgewater. The Muji one irritates me though because when it’s not full, it makes so much noise..
etc - this goes for post-it notes, page flags, etc! I love to-do list pads and post-it notes to help keep me organised!
Additionally, here are a few printables that might help you get/stay organised:
2018 student planner - includes loads of student-related printables (study, finance, etc) and undated daily, weekly and monthly planners.
ultimate student organiser - 47 pages of printables to organise your upcoming semester! Covers things like your individual classes, reading schedule, essay planner, etc.
college packing list - not necessary if you’re still living at home, but if you’re moving into a dorm this might be beneficial for making sure you remember everything!
curve of forgetting planner - a simple way to mark off topics in each subject and make sure you’re revising them regularly.
grade and assessment planner - it is always important to track how your grades are doing and this is a quick way to do so. Also, should make find problem areas relatively simple!!
student financial planner - an easy way to monitor your spending, set a budget and reach savings goals!
student reading journal - great if you have a lot of required readings each week!
there are loads more though! I also have lots of things for GoodNotes is you do have an iPad.
Here are some additional links that could help:
advice for the first day
things (personal, academic, etc) to do every week
10 small ways to improve your productivity
10 small ways to improve your motivation to study
dealing with stress
how to improve your sleep schedule
how to improve group assessments/projects
dealing with competitive people
how I stay motivated
how to study during the semester
I hope this helps and good luck! xx
