We’ve certainly seen our share of school supply lists lately, but this will b e no different, but I’d like to focus on some of the more lifehacky sorts of supplies, the ones no one ever tells you about but can make a world of difference in your day to day life.
1. The Pendaflex Folder
This is, by far, the most useful thing I’ve ever purchased regarding my education, with the obvious exception of my laptop. I really wish I had found this wonderful product when I was first starting school.
The link above doesn’t go to this particular model, which is canvas and has a velcro strap. I prefer this model, but they’re all about the same. You can easily find these at your local office store.
Screw folders and binders, especially a handful for various classes…. and don’t even mention spiral notebooks with pockets. No forgetting to pick up the right one, not putting that test review in the wrong one. It’s in one place. Get one of these, and I promise you, you’re life (and your back) will thank you.
2. The Index Card Case
The link above isn’t your best bet, most likely. Go to your local office store and find one for a buck or so. These are great, though. As I mentioned in our little series about flash cards - they’re still pretty much the best way to learn quite a lot of information.
A cheap case like this will allow you to keep them in your backpack without them becoming destroyed. Not a bad idea to grab a little index card container for later filing, too.
3. The iPod
Originally this article was going to be called the “unusual, cheap things” but that went out the door when I added the ipod. Still, a Nano will be just fine for most your needs.
The iPod, besides being a dandy way to listen to your tunes, has four major things to offer a student.
- Podcasts and Audiobooks
- Recordings of your lectures
- All your contacts and address book info
- Your calendar and to-do list
- Personal harddrive
If you record your classes with any sort of digitial audio, putting the file on your ipod is no different than any other mp3 file. And there is a wealth of audiobooks and handy podcasts out there. (Open Culture is a favorite site of mine)
It’s always handy to have a laptop case or bag. Why I suggest this particular type is because it is water resistant and slim and allows you to avoid having to get a laptop bag and use a much more handy standard backpack. Face it, most laptop bags are not made with your Calculus book in mind, this will allow you to slip your laptop in your bag like anything else.
5. And last but not least, a small umbrella
Yeah, I know, that seems like an odd thing for this list. But face it, if you’re on a campus you are likely walking a lot. Also, it will rain. These particular umbrellas are tiny, and compared to everything else in your bag, take up little space. And when you have to hike that half-mile to your Bio Lab, you won’t have to spend the next three hours soaking wet.
15/01/2008 at 5:28 pm Permalink
I’m going to have to disagree with the iPod. Almost every other mp3 player has built-in voice recording capabilities.
15/01/2008 at 5:33 pm Permalink
Fair enough… I used the iPod as an example more because almost everyone has one already.