For people starting collage in September ☺️
Buy a sturdy backpack, trust me satchels kill your shoulder(s) when there heavy.
Carry a refill pad, lined or gridded it's up to you. It stops you from having to carry around a shit tone of notebooks and paper, there also often cheaper than notebooks.
Only buy the textbooks you need, this often means waiting till you start collage. I bought the psychology textbook and don't need it bc collage had a free online addition.
Have a slim pencil case as textbooks/folders/lunch take up most room. In mine I have 2 black and 2 blue pens. 1 green for correcting work. A ruler, 2 pencils and those eraser-sharpener combos. Highlighters are also a must have.
Have one ring binder in your bag. Seriously, it saves space and makes your bag weigh less. I have plastic wallets and dividers in mine for each subject. Transfer work when you get home in to a separate folder for each subject. Only take recent work with you.
Display books are also great, wallets already included and light weight.
Have a refillable water bottle. Period.
Carry at cash with you at ALL times, spontaneous trips to mcdonalds seem much better when you can buy something. Pens runs out you can buy more, forget lunch at at least you can buy some. Saved my arse a few times tbh.
Carry headphones. Nuff said.
Textbooks but only the ones NEEDED.
Quizlet app, never loose flashcards again.
Get stuff ready the night before e.g. Clothes, lunch, bag ect
Carry a a small umbrella, it saved me from getting wet, when it's pissing it down here in the UK.
Take a tablet/Ipad rather than a laptop. Not as heavy but still just as functional. If you do take a laptop don't for get the charger. Power banks work on tablets./ipads as well.
Paracetamol (or an equivalent) is a must. Headache take one, pms take one ect
Have a good email address and a shitty email address. Sign up for open days with the good email.
Carry your student ID at all time even when not in college, students get discounts in some shops. Use them.
Buy loose pants/jeans. Skinny jeans are great but after 7 hours in a stuffy building and sitting down, they suck big time.
Layer up in colder months so that you don't have to carry a coat around all the time. Or invest in a fleecey jacket.
No one gives a shit what you wear in collage. Uggs go ahead, pajamas not a single shit given. Seriously, most people will look and probably wish they had come in them.
Notes don't have to be perfect, they can be scribbled to shit as long as you can read them.
Take a break. Burnouts are no fun.
Make friends with people in your lessons, hanging out with mates you moved up with is fine, but catching up with missed work or revision is harder without someone who knows the course. Also it's someone to sit next to and pair up with in group projects.
General rule if you sit in a spot for at least 2 weeks it yours. Choose Wisley as only a few teacher have seating plans.
If your gonna skip a class, at least email the teacher if they can give you the work. Bad grades suck. Also, teacher don't care if you skip class once or twice. It's if you miss a few In a row that they throw a hissy fit.
But bad grades are part of learning, not passing one test is not the end of the world you think it is.
If you hate ice breakers. Remember everyone in that room would rather be hit by a truck and be shoved in a giant pile of salt, than give an "interesting fact" about them selves. Always say pets or pets that you wish you had. If your stuck for ideas. Hobbies such as hockey, netball, football ect are good as well
Use the school resources, make the most of them. They're there to be used.
Have a planner I use a app on my phone, rather than a physical one to save space in my bag.
Forest app. If you need motivation to study.
Talk to people, most of them are there because they enjoy those subjects. You'll have more in common than you think.
Teachers know you have a job, trust me they will understand if you miss a few pieces of homework. Just don't use that excuse everytime.
Go to the top floor libraries, there often quiter and have bigger tables & comfortable seating.
Get to the bus stop at least 10 minutes early, you never know if traffic is going to be good or bad. Gives you time to walk slowly or go to the shop if needed.
Have a place where your things can be dumped when you come In from collage. Hooks for bags and student IDs. Shelving for books ect
Group chats for subjects or for friends are great. Share study material ot homework answers on there.
If someone starts drama. Drop them. It's collage, petty shit is stupid and is not what you need.
Report creepy behaviour, trust me teachers and staff will deal with it. They want the campus to be a safe environment. If they don't eat them. call the police ect and report the individual.
I can't stress enough dress how you want. No one cares. Collage is a time of realising your personal sense of style. If any one does make fun of you remember B and B (boobs or balls hurt a lot when hit lmao). *
Take a thermos full of tea/coffee ect. Cheaper in the long run than buying Starbucks or costa everyday.
That's all I can think of at the moment. I wish you all the best to those who are starting this year. Enjoy it because time flies.
*Screechingcollagestudent cannot be held accountable for any acts of violence 😂😂😂
