John
Beginning a new life as a college student can be a very nerve-wrecking experience. But it’s also very exciting, especially if you’re going to live in a dormitory or in an apartment. Living away from your parents will help you discover your independence and capabilities as a survivor.
Of course, living alone will be difficult at first. You’ll have to learn to rely on yourself. You can’t expect someone else to cook your food, clean your room, or even do your laundry for you. But before you buy your beddings, posters, and other knick-knacks to decorate your new place, make sure that you have these items first:
1. Camera:
It doesn’t have to be an expensive camera—even a smartphone will do. See, taking photographs is not just for changing your Facebook profile photo. You’ll also need a camera to document every damage, scratch or spots on the walls of your dorm room before you move in and unpack. You can use these photographs as your evidence in case your dorm demands you to pay for the damages by the end of your stay. You wouldn’t want to pay hundreds of dollars for damages you didn’t make, would you?
2. Cooking equipment:
Since you’re on your own now, you can no longer expect your mom to cook your meals for you. But before you resort to pizza deliveries and Chinese takeaways, you have to realize that not only are food deliveries and takeaways expensive, they can be very unhealthy too. Check your dorm rules or talk with your roommate so you can at least have an access to a microwave oven or a hot pot. In case you’re allowed to bring your own cooking equipment, consider buying a slowcooker. Investing on a slowcooker is a practical option, because it lets you leave your meal cooking while you’re attending your classes. Same goes for coffee maker: you can save lots of money by just brewing your own instead of relying on Starbucks all the time.
3. Weighing scale:
Getting wasted and pigging out is just two of the most common habits of college students whenever they need to destress. Be careful though, or you might end up gaining the dreaded Freshman Fifteen. Learn how to pace yourself or at least, make an effort to exercise and watch your weight.
4. A trusty printer:
Having an access to a printer anytime is very beneficial to any student. It’s better to invest on a trusty printer than to frantically search for computer shops at the middle of the night just so you can print and submit a 50-page research paper on time.
5. A laptop:
There’s nothing wrong about owning a desktop computer, but its lack of portability might serve as a hindrance whenever you need to use a computer for presentations, internet access, and note-taking during your classes.
6. External hard drive:
Always back your files up. You may have a very reliable laptop, but it’s so easy for things to go downhill as soon as it crashes or worse, gets stolen. So many students have failed to submit their thesis papers on time just because they weren’t able to save copies of their files.
7. A reliable pair of headphones:
Using headphones will save you from being branded as the inconsiderate jerk who loves to play loud music. Also, it can come handy if you happen to be sharing a room…with an inconsiderate jerk who loves to play loud music.
8. Basic tools:
Imagine yourself as a overgrown Boy Scout: what can you possibly possess that will prevent you from starving…or worse, staying sober? Basic tools like a tool kit, can opener, scissors, corkscrew and keg tap will keep you prepared for any adventure.
9. A good pair of shower flipflops:
A communal bathroom may not be as clean and as cosy as your bathroom back home. Wear flipflops to shower if you don’t want to walk on all things dirty AND hairy.
10. Medicine and first-aid kit:
These are something you will definitely need—just hope that you’ll never get to use them. Believe it or not, a simple first-aid kit can save you from a time-consuming trip to the emergency clinic.
Aman
