Let's face it. We as students are almost always unprepared. You forget your raincoat, and then it pours an hour later. You get soaked. You go to class without reading the assigned text, and then you have a pop quiz. You fail. You go to the coffee shop to get your usual iced soy latte with a hint of mocha, and then your debit card doesn't work because you're poor. You cry. So I'm going to help you out by giving you some tips of how to be more prepared for what college may throw at you.
1. Your Student ID
It's amazes me how many people lose these things. Honestly. I know most schools are different, but I need my ID to eat, get into my dorm, get into events, or buy things at the university store when I'm starving. I depend on that thing. People always post in those annoying Class of Blah Blah Blah groups saying "found a lost ID, message me if it's yours!" Just keep it with you.
2. Money
You never know when you are gonna need some cash to save you. Emergency money is always necessary. Plus what if your attractive classmate who you've been crushing on asks you to donate to help sick children in Malaysia and you say "I don't have any." A couple bucks may change your life.
3. A Granola Bar
When you wake up at 7:51 and realize you need to be at your 8 am or you've been in classes all day and don't want to buy food, you will thank me for writing this article. Trust me, always keep it in your bag because you are going to get hungry.
4. A Writing Utensil
Oh my gosh, do NOT be that person who comes into class with nothing and asks you for a pen or pencil. They ask you, then they chew on it while using it, then you tell them to keep it (obviously), then they come in the next week and ask you AGAIN. Just carry it with you or people will hate you.
5. Tissues
I don't care if you have a roll of toilet paper in your backpack, just please have them. Do not be that person who sniffles all the way through an exam or class. Just blow your nose. It's gross, but we all do it.
6. Hand Sanitizer
This goes hand in hand with the tissues. If you blow your nose, use hand sanitizer afterwards. They make the little ones that are all different colors and flavors, so I'm sure you can find one you like. If you get everyone around you sick because you are spreading your germs, they will come after you.
7. Chapstick
This is especially crucial in the winter time. If your lips are chapping, just carry it with you so that they don't get all red and sting. You'll be doing yourself a favor. Maybe you'll even look like Miley. Also, you won't have to ask anyone for their chapstick. You might think I'm kidding but this has happened to me. Don't ask a complete stranger for chapstick. Use your own. (FYI, I said no).
8. Glasses or Extra Contacts
This won't apply to all of you, but if you have bad eyes like me then listen up. If you wear contacts, bring your glasses or an extra pair so that you do not get screwed later. If something happens and you lose a contact or have to take them out and you have no backup, you will not be able to see in class and you will regret that later. My exam was once on a projector and I only had one contact in. True story.
9. Hair Elastic or Clip
Ladies, this one is for you (unless you are male and have really cool, long hair). Carry extra hair accessories with you. You don't have to wear it around your wrist if you don't like that, but if all of a sudden you are having a bad hair day or it is getting all in your face, you're going to want one. And other girls are mean. They won't give it to you just in case they need it later.
10. Emergency Medications
Bringing Tylenol or Advil with you to class may save your life. I do not like to promote the use of drugs, but trust me on this one. Also, if you have an allergy, bring your EpiPen or Benadryl or whatever you need. If you start to have an allergic reaction and you don't have it, I will not feel bad for you (although I will probably help you so you're welcome).
11. A Water Bottle
Save the earth, people. Having a reusable water bottle saves you from having to buy one all the time. There are fountains pretty much everywhere around campus, and you can also buy one that supports your school or decorate it. You can have school pride, express yourself, and save the earth while hydrating! Mother Nature will thank you.
12. Chargers
Bring your laptop and phone charger with you. Like everywhere. People will not give you theirs if you ask, trust me. So if you forgot to charge your devices or you have a long day ahead of you where you cannot get back to your dorm, bring them with you. Nothing is worse then not being able to check your social media or text in that dumb GroupMe where you don't like half the people anyway.
13. Deodorant
Okay B.O. is natural. But we are all over 18 (or almost all of us), so you should know how to use deodorant. If you know that you are going to need it later, buy another one for you backpack. This is also something you cannot ask someone to borrow...
14. Gum
If that attractive classmate we talked about earlier asks you to "hang out" after class, you do not want to have coffee breath because you had to caffeinate after an all nighter. Gum is a life saver. It also is something people won't give to you. "That was my last piece" is always a lie.
So save yourself humiliation, embarrassment, awkwardness, self-consciousness, distress, and frustration. 14 simple things can change your life.
