Back to School - School Supplies

Whether you are going back to College, High School, Junior High, or going to school for the first time, there are some valuable tips and insight that you will need in order to help you succeed.  To have the coolest room, the most useful (not necessarily the most expensive) supplies, to the best computer, this Hub will help you do all of those things.  It will also steer you in the right direction on activities, shopping, homework, and more!

School Supplies come in a range of colors, styles, sizes, and usefulness. I have been going to school for many years, and have taken traditional classes, online classes, video classes, and more. The primary supplies that you will need, besides a good computer, are actually pretty simple.

• · A Good Computer: Having a good computer for any school level these days is actually pretty essential. In college, especially if the computer lab is not open 24/7, it is an absolute necessity. I’m sorry to those parents reading this, but your children aren’t going to bed at 9 at night every night. They will be at Extra Curricular Activities, Study Groups, *gasp* Parties, and just hanging out with friends. This is going to necessitate late night homework. The same, to a lesser extent, goes to High School students. High Schools keep kids BUSY these days! (I guess the idiom “Idle Hands…” proves true). Heck, even Junior High students will benefit from having a computer that is accessible to them. Nothing proves more useful for writing papers, doing research, making presentations, and more.
• · A Planner or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). Now, everyone may not be as anal as I am about such things, but having a good way to keep track of your schedule is incredibly important. Planners can range from a simple, blank notebook to a Franklin Covey Planner (my favorite). The truth is that most cell phones these days are able to double as a planner.
• · On that note, a Cell Phone. If you have a college student, you do want to get in touch with them occasionally, right? Well, adding another line to your family plan isn’t that expensive. As far as High School and younger, the same holds true. You can also make sure that they are reachable, or can reach you if something happens. I would suggest adding some parental controls for this, especially controlling the minutes, texts, and downloads that they can use per month. Trust me! Spend a few extra dollars and buy a phone that will double as a planner.
• · A multi-subject notebook with folders in between each section. This is more important than you may think. Sure you can take notes with a laptop if you are so inclined, but the truth is that lugging that between classes gets tiring, even with a nice laptop bag. This is going to let you take notes during class, keep handouts with those notes, and it can serve as a place for assignments ready to turn in, assignments that you have gotten back, or the phone number of that hottie who sits next to you…
• · Your Books. People, please! Unless your professor or teacher tells you that you will not be using a particular book in his or her class, buy it. Heck, reading it once in a while may help, too.
• · A good pen. Now, I think that one of the things I will buy for my son when he graduates High School is a good pen and pencil set. When I say good, I don’t mean terribly expensive, or silver plated (because those have a tendency to get ‘borrowed’ permanently). I mean a pen that is comfortable, writes well and consistently, and preferably is refillable. Non-smearing is also very important. If you are like me, and study in your bed, something with a little pressure behind it so you can write while upside down is important. (Yes, I know, it isn’t a good study habit, but it happens!)

One assumes that most of a student’s time (besides the cafeteria, classrooms, and the student union) will be in their dorm room.  This is important because it not only needs to be a comfortable environment, conducive to study, and that shows the individual style and personality of the student.  These things don’t need to be expensive, either.  Ikea has some awesome furniture that is quirky, funky, and functional for not such a terrible price.  If you don’t have an Ikea near you, they deliver, or you can buy some nice stuff from Target.  Wal-Mart also carries ‘dorm room furniture’, but I’ve never been truly happy with their furniture quality (though the price is right).

Now hold on, I am very practical in my advice, and very budget conscious. I would honestly suggest building your own computer. To be perfectly honest, it isn’t that difficult if you just follow the instructions. I have a Hub devoted to building your own computer. Take a look. All the hardware looks intimidating, but most hardware is going to be easy to install, and as long as you take proper precautions, you will not hurt or ruin anything. I promise! If your student wants or needs a laptop, they do not (usually) need the top of the line computer with the most whistles and bells. Sometimes, a simple (and VERY ECONOMICAL) Netbook is usually sufficient.