college kids (and adults) to me...

[Sarlon]

I'm trying to get my house organized before I start college this fall and want to get set up for classes before I get to overwhelmed.

I've already set aside my kitchen table for studying area, since it offers little to no distractions (no tvs, no computers). I'm working to clearing an area of my computer desk for school supplies of books and notes and such.

Any other suggestions? Supplies I might need?

[Pixilated]

That's a great idea, especially the study area without easy access to TV/computer!

I'm not sure what you mean by supplies ... do you have a decent calculator? (Don't know what program(s) you're taking or whether you even need one.) Dictionary? Thesaurus? Scratch paper, especially if you're taking math?

[Sarlon]

don't know what classes I'm taking yet, I KNOW I'm taking a math class, English/writing class, and a history class (US history pre 1970s I believe....yay /fluttershy)

[42_42_42]

I stock up on notebooks at the back to school sales. I prefer the cheap 1 subj college ruled Mead notebooks, even though that means some of my courses are spread between 2 or 3 of them, just because they take up less room in my bag. I go through an obscene amount of black ink pens. I also have the skinny sharpies in like a half dozen colors because sometimes I color code my notes (especially helpful to me for chemistry) and I like them for underlining and writing notes in the margines of my textbooks. I also make sure I have a big stack of index cards and for maths plenty of lead refills for my automatic pencil and I use those big pink pearl erasers cause the eraser on the end of the pencil doesn't last long. I make sure I have a pocket folder for each course, too, to keep things like the syllabus and any graded work in. Lots of profs are putting their power points up on a school website now, so you can print out the slides and bring them to lecture. For some courses I've found that helpful and then I mark up the slide pages with extra notes during the lecture rather than spending the whole time trying to get down what's on the slides and what the prof says, too. I keep all the print outs for a course in big 3 ring binder, usually need at least a 2 or 3 inch per course.

Oh, and don't assume you have to purchase your books at the oncampus store. Get the ISBNs and check the price at Amazon. For my books Amazon is usually 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of the oncampus store. You can rent from Amazon and get used textbooks, now, too.

Best of luck!

[fireheart]

For subjects, I strongly recommend colour-coding EVERYTHING.

So where possible, designate say your English is red/pink, your History yellow, your Maths green and so on. You can always change the colour designations over each semester depending on your course.

In terms of stationery, it entirely depends on which path you are going down. If you are going to write your notes, I strongly recommend:

-A GOOD set of writing materials. I prefer gel pens to the cheap ballpoints. Now while I say "gel pens" I don't mean the ones you can get from the $2 shop. I'm referring to ones like the Frixion or Jetstream brands. You don't need to press down as hard, you don't get that "dropout" you get with some ballpoints and the ink shows up much better if you have to photocopy your notes for whatever reason.
-A decent-sized notebook. 120 pages is generally enough. Lecture pads generally have the holes so you can put your pages into a folder later on if you need to. If you can, colour-code your notebooks as well: Marbig do some GREAT ones. (their colourhide range is awesome)
-A display folder or a binder. Lever Arch are the bulkiest but easiest to handle. This can also be used to store any handouts.
-A generic notebook that you can use to jot down any ideas you might have for an assignment while you're out. Keep it in your handbag or similar, so that if you're out and you get this idea for an assignment, you can write it down before you forget it.
-A decent pencil. Unless you're going to be drawing, I suggest investing in a mechanical pencil. Faber-Castell do the BEST one I've found so far. The lead moves down automatically and you can twist the top to reveal as much or as little eraser as you need.

Spiral-bound notebooks are probably the best ones to use.

If you go down the typing your notes path, I still recommend the following: (this also applies to the writing notes):

-A GOOD set of highlighters. Find one which works for you: every brand feels different. I prefer the Stabler swing cool highlighters, they're a nice size, don't feel so bulky in my hands and they last for AGES. I've lost them for a while (like six months at a time), found them and they still work.
-A decent note-taking program. Evernote is free and easy to use, it also auto-saves. If you have other devices, you can share your notes between those devices without having to manually copy them over. There are other programs out there as well.
-If you're using an Ipad or similar, I recommend Notability. It does have a small cost, but it is an EXCELLENT note-taking program. You can draw, write and all that as well as record what they're saying. You can't share your notes between devices, but I've found it easier to use than evernote.

I'd also ensure that you have a USB stick that is separate to one you use for everyday stuff. It doesn't need to be all that big, but if it ever gets lost, you are just losing assignments rather than anything particularly important.

Also, if you're brand-hunting, don't always assume that art brands are not going to have good stuff as well. Faber-Castell do some great mechanical pencils, erasers and sharpeners.
Uniball, Papermate, Staebler and Marbig are also good brands that will last a while as well.

If you have a smartphone or tablet, don't be afraid to put a few everyday apps on there. I have a calculator app as well as a few other "uni" related ones on there for various functions.

Finally, make sure that you have a good-sized bag to carry your stuff in!
If you're taking a lot of textbooks, be sure to invest in a good-size backpack. Get a chiropractor or someone similar to recommend some good brands to help with your back and shoulders. Targus do a great laptop bag

And I know I'm plugging brands, but seriously, when you find good products, you generally want to stick with them .

[Sarlon]

Pens: I tend to prefer Pilot G-2 brand pens, they write clearly and nicely with no "blobbing"

Pencils: I don't think I've used a sharpened pencil since middle school...always prefer mechanical.

binders: I'm holding off on these at least till I find out my classes. do plan on getting tab dividers plus the old fashioned pocket folders. Once had an English teacher that made you keep EVERYTHING, and would check like every week to make sure your folder had all your papers in it (this included graded papers), and it kinda stuck...this was also the same teacher that you HAD to have a red pen with you, and if you didn't would gladly sell you one.

bag for classes: going with this...since the only other backpack is one I've had since middle school before laptops were invented.

Spiral notebooks: Love the idea of color coding them (all red for math, all blue/yellow for history etc.) but I think I'd rather have a 5 subject notebook for each class, plus some loose leaf paper just to have on hand.

office supplies: I've got a printer and scanner already, both pretty decent quality, never hurts to have more printer paper on hand of course. Printer (once I change out the old ink things), can do both color and plain black and white. Could use a stapler, and paper clips, and would LOVE a decent 3 hole punch, but I'm more partial to those sleeve protectors someone mentioned earlier.

Highlighters: No problem with these.

index cards: plan on buying several large packs of these, both for quick notes, and the fact I have to take a public speaking course. Not to worried about the public speaking thing, I just remember the advice my drama teacher gave us..."Don't imagine the audience naked...that will creep anyone out. just treat it like a rehersal....and only me and 2 other people are in the audience."

other: There is a swimming pool on campus, that I intend to make full use of, this will include the purchase of a towel ( that if I loose no big deal), and shower things so not to drive home in a wet suit/clothes.