Attention incoming freshmen: your time is limited. After summer, you will leave the comfort of your home and move off to a campus where the food may be questionable and your feet will inevitably hurt from walking to and from welcome week activities. Consider this a list of investments that will make this transition easier.
1. The better meal plan
Trust me on this one. The first semester of my freshman year, I chose the cheapest plan and ate cafeteria food for months. While it was slightly less costly, I started to dread eating because I ate the same stuff all the time. Get the meal plan that allows you to eat not only cafeteria food but also from the food court. Just watch what you choose to eat if you're worried about the "freshman 15"! You can do little things such as substituting fruit for fries if you want to eat a variety of things without being condemned to the cafeteria.
2. A nice backpack
Instead of the cheaper trendy bag from Target, spend a little more on a functional backpack, even if it's not the cutest thing. Most name-brand packs have better back support and even come waterproofed. You will take your backpack everywhere in college. You'll more than likely walk through the rain with it, leave it in a friend's smelly car, or drop it on the floor of your biology lab. You might even sneak a hamster into your dorm with it like my roommate did, so make sure you get a hamster-proof pack if you need one.
3. Quality laptop and Ethernet cable
You might think it's a good idea to buy a small, sleek netbook for school. I strongly suggest getting a laptop that will last you the entirety of your college career. Take into consideration how much memory you will need and what kind of processor you would like. Papers are a college staple, so buy a computer that includes a word processing program. Ethernet cables are also a life saver, since university wifi crashes during high traffic times and the only way to avoid wireless jams is by connecting directly to a port.
4. A planner
There's a lot going on in college. It's hard to remember what time your floor meeting is, when there's going to be free food outside the student center or when you have a report due. Most schools pass out campus themed planners during the first week of school, so if you don't want to spend money purchasing one, take advantage of the ones that are handed out!
5. Tennis shoes
Before you move off to college, purchase at least one pair of kicks that not are not just sweet but comfortable as well. Although nice tennis shoes are expensive, you'll wear the mess out of them and get your money's worth. While shopping for sneakers, think "could I run for my life in these?" because when you wake up for your 9 a.m. class at 8:50, you will be running for your life.
6. Comfortable clothes
Right now, you're probably thinking you're going to dress to impress for class. While that sounds super appealing and productive, let me tell you ... You. Are. Wrong. You will throw on whatever to make it to your 8 a.m. You will live in t-shirts and shorts. It's the college dress code.
7. Spotify Premium
Music is essential to getting through solo study sessions. You might currently be a die hard Pandora user, or an Apple Music member, but with Spotify Premium you can create your own playlists and listen to whatever you want without ads or songs you don't care for. Need to relax the week before finals? You can customize a playlist that has all of your favorite John Mayer songs on it. Not to mention Spotify is only $4.99 with your college student discount.
8. An extra charger/battery pack
We live in a generation where we can't seem to put our phones down. You never know where you'll end up, so bring an extra charger with you everywhere you go. Common areas often offer chargers for public use but nine times out of ten, they won't fit your phone or work. Consider buying a battery pack or a rechargeable phone case if you are too busy to sit down and plug in.
9. Netflix subscription
If you don't already have a Netflix account, go ahead and treat yourself. Netflix is a college student's favorite pass time. You will spend many nights binge-watching your favorite shows with your friends. Netflix can also come in handy if you are going to take a film studies class. Many old movies that you are required to watch can be found in the Netflix catalog. The Netflix app is convenient for those who have to wait between classes, as well.
10. Organization memberships
Invest your time in things you love to do. Joining student organizations such as your school's student section or a sorority/fraternity can add to your résumé and social life. Joining an organization can help you meet new people and get your out of your dorm room.
11. Snacks
You will get tired of everything that is served on campus. Go to a bulk store and buy your favorite snacks before you move in, so when you do crave something at midnight you don't have to settle for your roommate's fiber bars. When you don't have time for a full meal, it's good to have things on hand.
12. Notebooks
No one ever tells you to take notes. You either do or you don't. Buy a notebook for each class and take notes, even if you just scratch something down to jog your memory. It shows your professor you care about your grade and will actually help you out in the long run. It's proven that writing things down helps you remember, so steer clear of just listening to your professors lecture.
Every single one of these will pay off in the end.
