Things for College

[xparaparafreakx]

I have a TiBook 1Ghz and getting a 17" MBP with bootcamp. What things does a student need in college? I am thinking about getting a docupen rc800 to scan textbooks but I can't think of anything else. There isn't a cap amount of money to spend, it just has to be something I need. My major is chem btw.

Also what out of those two laptops would you carry with you everyday? Would you carry both of them?

[AvSRoCkCO1067]

I have a TiBook 1Ghz and getting a 17" MBP with bootcamp. What things does a student need in college? I am thinking about getting a docupen rc800 to scan textbooks but I can't think of anything else. There isn't a cap amount of money to spend, it just has to be something I need. My major is chem btw.

Also what out of those two laptops would you carry with you everyday? Would you carry both of them?

ooo my major's going to be Chemical Engineering so I'd appreciate answers to these questions as well (I have a MacBook Pro 15" 1.83)

Oh - what size is the TiBook? You won't want to carry around two laptops - that's unnecessary (in fact, why do you need both...???)

Get a flash drive (or at least, I've heard they're useful - I'll be picking one up soon).

[Mernak]

definitely get at least 1 flash drive really any size but if you find a high capacity one for sale get that (now have 3 ,now that just bought a 512mb for $25, which was 1/2 off). As for which computer, i would personally carry around the TiBook just because im paranoid and would be afraid someone would steal it.

good point xparaparafreakx, why DO you need both laptops?

[obrien234]

flash drives are quite useful, a lot of schools are wiping out floppy disks and the like, so they come to be rather handy.

I have a question though, is the 17" necessary? I'm a Chem Engineering student and i use a 15" PB. I love the portability/power combo of the 15". It's nice to bring to class, and doesn't take up that much space. Unless you're doing something like video editing or something of the sort as an extensive hobby, the 17" is overkill.

I also suggest extra RAM. Make sure you're running at least 1.5 GB. This will speed up common tasks and the like. A site I normally use is www.dealram.com. They are quite consist and show a variety of price points and online stores.

I'll probably think of more later....

[ddrueckhammer]

I have a TiBook 1Ghz and getting a 17" MBP with bootcamp. What things does a student need in college? I am thinking about getting a docupen rc800 to scan textbooks but I can't think of anything else. There isn't a cap amount of money to spend, it just has to be something I need. My major is chem btw.

Also what out of those two laptops would you carry with you everyday? Would you carry both of them?

Well, I would say MS Office but since it hasn't gone universal yet I can't recommend it. I have been using iWork '06 in the interim and am liking it more as I use it. You will need a spreadsheet so get MS Office for Excel as soon as it goes universal or iWork '07 if it gets a spreadsheet...

You want a solid carry case and sleeve probably if you will be carrying it around as Aluminum Powerbooks dent easy. I like Crumpler (http://www.crumplerbags.com/home.php), Acmemade (http://www.acmemade.com/), and Booq (http://www.booqbags.com/index.html)but there are tons of threads on this. Oh and I like Tuscano Second Skins or Incase sleeves...

I would say a bluetooth mouse but you will probably never use it with the trackpad. If you must have a mouse the bluetooth notebook one from logitech (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2146,CONTENTID=10916,commerceid=2536) is nice.

An iPod Shuffle makes a wonderful companion because they can be used as a thumb drive, and are far more durible that normal iPods for carrying in your backpack etc.

If you are taking college Physics you might want to purchase Physics 101 SE by Preater software (http://www.praetersoftware.com/). Its a program for basic physics and is really cheap as it is shareware. I will still use it for quickly solving problems in my advanced Engineering courses.

You might want a copy of Maple (http://www.maplesoft.com/)if you are taking above Calc I. It is nice for the integration tutor. I have used it a few times to solve difficult integration problems and if you have it you really don't need any solutions manuals for your texts because it will solve pretty much anything. You will use it or Mathmatica if you take any advance Calculus at some point...

The extra Ram suggested earlier is essential (at least 1Gb total). I would suggest Other World Computing (http://www.macsales.com) or Newegg (http://www.newegg.com) as they are cheaper than Crucial but make sure that the Ram has a warranty and is the correct kind for your powerbook if you use Newegg. I have seen Crucial Ram for dirt cheap there.

Also, you might want an external hard drive like the Lacie D2 (http://www.lacie.com/products/product.htm?pid=10511) to backup all of your files and save Video, Audio, etc that you acquire while in school.

Finally, you might want to get a DVI to s-video/composite video adaptor (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wo/6.RSLID?mco=4BB568D3&nplm=M9267G%2FA) to hook your mac up to TVs. You can get it from Apple for twenty bucks and combine it with a mini-jack to composite audio adaptor or you can get one that has both video and audio from Monster Cables (http://www.monstercable.com/computer/productPageComputer.asp?pin=1732&LastPage=Apple%20Products) for more.

Hope these suggestions help and goodluck!

[T-Stex]

Hey guys, I'm a rising senior working toward a degree in computer science and engineering, so I'll give some advice from my experience. For the OP, you'll only need the MBP. Sell the TiBook on eBay for around $1000, which seems to be the going rate there, and use that money toward other stuff for college. The MBP will be more than enough to handle your computing needs through college. As for the docuthing, I'm not really sure what it does actually, but that might mean that you won't need it. As far as other stuff goes, you probably won't need that much. I'm assuming your school will probably have computer labs everywhere, so you probably won't need a printer. I'd really just go with a good set of speakers, and maybe an external drive, and the flash drive. I use my flash drive all the time to transfer files, and I'm sure you guys will too. I'm not really sure that this helps all that much, but maybe you've gotten something out of it.

Just out of curiosity, where are you guys going to be attending?

<EDIT> Wow, I start typing a response and three other people beat me to it. Seems like everyone's got it covered here. But I'd second the advice on getting a good sleeve/case to protect the laptops, I swear by mine. I'd recommend stuff by Booq and Brenthaven.

[briansolomon]

I've been in college for a couple years now and out of experience(laptop) I would see if I couldn't trade in the TiBook for some kind of desktop solution in addition to the MBP. Typing on a laptop constantly really puts a strain on you. Having a great big monitor that is positioned nicely and a big keyboard is very relaxing. However you have a 17" MacBook Pro, so I don't know.

Just my thoughts.

[ddrueckhammer]

Just out of curiosity, where are you guys going to be attending?


I'm a Junior Civil Engineering Major at the University of South Florida...

There are lots of other cool programs for Engineers that I didn't mention (and I tried to keep them to programs that I thought would be relevent to a Chem major), but like you said you don't really need any software but it makes it nice when you don't have to go to the lab at crunch time.

[ddrueckhammer]

I've been in college for a couple years now and out of experience(laptop) I would see if I couldn't trade in the TiBook for some kind of desktop solution in addition to the MBP. Typing on a laptop constantly really puts a strain on you. Having a great big monitor that is positioned nicely and a big keyboard is very relaxing. However you have a 17" MacBook Pro, so I don't know.

Just my thoughts.

I agree...I had a 12" Powerbook for two years and am trading for a new iMac this summer because it was getting hard on my eyes. The 17" Powerbook isn't that bad (my girlfriend has one) but to be honest I never really carried my laptop around with me that much except to play games at my friends houses. You get alot more computer for your money with a desktop but its all priorities....

[xparaparafreakx]

I thought people had back up computers for just incase. That why I am bring the TiBook with me.

I got a Bluetooth Wacom Tablet, iPod Shuffle 512mb, office 04, iworks 06 and the DVI to RCA with Y cable. Looks like I got most things covered.

As for the case thing, I might get a sleve for it and put it in a regular bag. Laptop bags to me are dead giveaways to people to jack my books.

Did you guys have time in college to watch T.V. because I might want to get an EyeTv 500.

[truz]

I have a TiBook 1Ghz and getting a 17" MBP with bootcamp. What things does a student need in college? I am thinking about getting a docupen rc800 to scan textbooks but I can't think of anything else. There isn't a cap amount of money to spend, it just has to be something I need. My major is chem btw.

Also what out of those two laptops would you carry with you everyday? Would you carry both of them?


I would honestly hold off and purchase the 13.3" macbook (ibook) It should have a 1.83ghz cpu (maybe better) or the option to upgrade that high or higher and the battery life will be great. I think 17" is to big to lug around. I hate dragging my 15" widescreen around, it seems to big.

[kretzy]

A flash drive is probably the next most important thing after your computer. I've used mine so much in the short time I've been at Uni. Also buy a big box of pens, they seem to disappear into thin air.

[ddrueckhammer]

Did you guys have time in college to watch T.V. because I might want to get an EyeTv 500.

I tried limiting myself on TV and World of Warcraft and that didn't work so I just cut myself off but all my classes are extremely hard and I try to take 15 hours or more per semester...If you want an EyeTV get one but just always realize that school is most important and if you need the time to work on school do that first...

[.Andy]

Being a Chem major I'd recommend you get a good scientific calculator. It'll be your best friend and completely indispensable in the lab. You'll probably get more work-related use out of it than your lappy.

[ddrueckhammer]

Also buy a big box of pens, they seem to disappear into thin air.

Haha! Yeah Pens for Chemistry and Biology classes and Pencils for Math and Physics. Alot of Chemistry/Biology want you to write only in pen because of the scientific method (keeping records of mistakes) bla bla bla. Physics and Math usually want it done in pencil or you have to rewrite it nicely for them...

I like Bic Velocity Gels and Pilot G2s for Pens. (if you don't like gels don't get them..I know alot of people who don't like them because they smear but I don't have that problem...

I like Paper Mate clear points for pencils (0.5 writes nicer but 0.7 lasts longer as I don't break the tip as much). I have purchased just about every kind of pencil at some point or another and these are my current favorite.

Oh yeah and I've tried several graphing calculators. I used a TI-83 through the beginning of my Sophmore year then purchased a TI-89 and was given an HP 49G+. The TI-89 is more user friendly and has better instructions but the HP 49G+ has more power and a quicker interface...You probably don't need anything more than a TI-83 for math up to Calc II as they won't let you use anything better in most schools in the US. As the previous poster suggested you could probably get by with a basic scientific...

[xparaparafreakx]

I like Bic Velocity Gels and Pilot G2s for Pens. (if you don't like gels don't get them..I know alot of people who don't like them because they smear but I don't have that problem...

I like Paper Mate clear points for pencils (0.5 writes nicer but 0.7 lasts longer as I don't break the tip as much). I have purchased just about every kind of pencil at some point or another and these are my current favorite.

Oh yeah and I've tried several graphing calculators. I used a TI-83 through the beginning of my Sophmore year then purchased a TI-89 and was given an HP 49G+. The TI-89 is more user friendly and has better instructions but the HP 49G+ has more power and a quicker interface...You probably don't need anything more than a TI-83 for math up to Calc II as they won't let you use anything better in most schools in the US. As the previous poster suggested you could probably get by with a basic scientific...

I don't know anything about pens so I'll buy some and as for the calc, I got an 83 but I can run 84 or 89 on the computer if I need to. What about cell phones with a data plan? Will I need internet everywhere I go? I know at UC Davis there is not wifi everywhere.

[kretzy]

I had a TI-89 for maths in high school. I loved it so much because it could solve equations for x. Unfortunately I can't use it in the course I'm doing now - commerce. Scientific only.

[seabass069]

Condems!! And lots of them. Thank God for Girls!!!

[h0e0h]

all you really need for college dorm life:

sheets
xbox 360
HD TV
iCurve
BT Keyboard/Mouse
Booq Bag/Sleeve (great for my 12" but I'm a business major)
and finally

Some dorm neighbors that are 21 so they can get you Natural Light

Let's face it, i've been through the freshman/sophomore year and realize that dorm life is fun, but GO TO CLASS. Its fun, but if you have to slam it, don't drink it... good luck...

[Chundles]

I thought people had back up computers for just incase. That why I am bring the TiBook with me.

I got a Bluetooth Wacom Tablet, iPod Shuffle 512mb, office 04, iworks 06 and the DVI to RCA with Y cable. Looks like I got most things covered.

As for the case thing, I might get a sleve for it and put it in a regular bag. Laptop bags to me are dead giveaways to people to jack my books.

Did you guys have time in college to watch T.V. because I might want to get an EyeTv 500.

Don't need 2 computers, it's just more stuff to worry about. Get a good sleeve - one with a bit of impact protection if you're going to be carrying it in a regular bag, there are laptop bags that look like ordinary backpacks, STM make some great kit, have a look at their website.

Welcome to the wonderful world of Chemistry, make sure you get everything done on time so you don't end up like me, taking 5 years to get a 3 year degree finished and hating the whole idea of Uni by the end of it. Stay motivated and you'll have a ball. Get your eyes tested because you'll probably be sitting in front of screens reading pdfs of umpteen thousand scientific journals and you do not want to be getting headaches from that.

Get a good steel ruler, various coloured pens and really pay attention to learning all the little ins and outs of Excel - you'll spend so much time in there it's not funny. Plotting out electron density and probability when you're doing quantum chem is really going to test your excel abilities.

Lab coat + safety glasses. Wear them at all times in the lab. AT ALL TIMES. I cannot emphasise just how important they are, if you wear glasses, get the safety glasses that fit over the top of them. They've saved my skin on so many occasions, not to mention my face, eyes, mouth, extra special places etc...

Good, comfortable, work-place approved shoes. You want ones that you can stand for hours in but won't slip over on the slightest trace of liquid on the lab floor - you do not want to be slipping over whilst carrying a tray of nitric acid.

Plenty of small (64 page) books, that way you can keep notes from each little module more or less organised - yes, you will be handwriting notes, handwrite them in class then type them up into legible print outs when you get back, that way not only have you done the first stage of repetition but it gets them out of the way. You can keep up easier if you handwrite your notes and your exams won't be on a computer so your handwriting needs to be kept in a legible form.

Get to know your peer-reviewed scientific journals, if they aren't reviewed by respected members of the scientific community, they're worth diddly squat as references for your lab reports. Stick with the big ones - the ones that have about 100 years or so of history behind them.

[kretzy]

Condems!! And lots of them. Thank God for Girls!!!
I realise it's just a typo, but that made me laugh. :D Condemning may be what your mother would be doing if she knew what you were up to! :p ;)

[ddrueckhammer]

I don't know anything about pens so I'll buy some and as for the calc, I got an 83 but I can run 84 or 89 on the computer if I need to. What about cell phones with a data plan? Will I need internet everywhere I go? I know at UC Davis there is not wifi everywhere.

Probably not. Just get a phone with free long distance and whatever carrier has the best coverage in your area. I have T-mobile because they are GSM and cheaper than Cingular but I hear Verizon has better coverage in my area. I just don't want to pay for it...

You could get away with just using calling cards as there are many payphones available at school or you could get a cordless for the dorm (make sure it isn't the same frequency as your wireless router if you have one or are allowed to use them). Also, I have know people that use video or audio chat clients to call home for free and just have a phone in their dorm for local...

[Chundles]

Some dorm neighbors that are 21 so they can get you Natural Light



Light beer = soft. Drink beer with all the alcohol still in it. Light beer is an abomination against the lord god Drinkitdown. If it ain't full-strength beer, it should not pass your lips.

Unless Natural Light is not beer, in which case my above statement stands but it's now just sitting out there on it's Pat Malone.

[h0e0h]

Light beer = soft. Drink beer with all the alcohol still in it. Light beer is an abomination against the lord god Drinkitdown. If it ain't full-strength beer, it should not pass your lips.

Unless Natural Light is not beer, in which case my above statement stands but it's now just sitting out there on it's Pat Malone.

I think natty light is like 6% ABV, being the strongest light beer around... besides, you still gotta be concious to finish labs and study...

**edit, scratch that, its natural ice that i was thinking of, and that's what i intended it to be in my original post, don't know where the light came from...

[ddrueckhammer]

Light beer = soft. Drink beer with all the alcohol still in it. Light beer is an abomination against the lord god Drinkitdown. If it ain't full-strength beer, it should not pass your lips.

Unless Natural Light is not beer, in which case my above statement stands but it's now just sitting out there on it's Pat Malone.

Kids in the US drink it because its cheap...(I used to get Bud Ice because it was the cheapest thing you could get in a Keg). I have grown to love beers like Guiness and Newcastle but they are too expensive for many young university students. I just don't drink that much anymore so I can afford the finer products! Another good one is Zeigenbock which is only distributed in Texas. Ales and Stouts just aren't that popular for some odd reason....

Haha! The condoms one is a good one...

[Chundles]

I think natty light is like 6% ABV, being the strongest light beer around... besides, you still gotta be concious to finish labs and study...

**edit, scratch that, its natural ice that i was thinking of, and that's what i intended it to be in my original post, don't know where the light came from...

How can a beer be 6% and called "light"? Light beer is usually around 3% - 4% with full strength at about 6%.

[.Andy]

How can a beer be 6% and called "light"? Light beer is usually around 3% - 4% with full strength at about 6%.
Low carb :p?

[Chundles]

Low carb :p?

Oh yeah..... forgot about that.

Here "Light Beer" = half the alcohol, normally drunk by old guys who want to have a couple of beers and still be OK to drive home.

I forgot that light beer in the states was less carbs or whatever. You yanks and your carbs eh?

[h0e0h]

Oh yeah..... forgot about that.

Here "Light Beer" = half the alcohol, normally drunk by old guys who want to have a couple of beers and still be OK to drive home.

I forgot that light beer in the states was less carbs or whatever. You yanks and your carbs eh?

I think that Natural Ice is more of a southern thing... "yanks" would refer to a Coors drinker

[.Andy]

Oh yeah..... forgot about that.

Here "Light Beer" = half the alcohol, normally drunk by old guys who want to have a couple of beers and still be OK to drive home.

I forgot that light beer in the states was less carbs or whatever. You yanks and your carbs eh?
And thus a college thread decends off topic and onto alcohol. How apt :D.

[T-Stex]

I think that Natural Ice is more of a southern thing... "yanks" would refer to a Coors drinker

I don't know about that. We've got our fair share of Natty in PA.

[h0e0h]

I don't know about that. We've got our fair share of Natty in PA.

my appologies for being stereotypical

[T-Stex]

my appologies for being stereotypical

Haha. Don't worry, no offense taken.

[Chundles]

Add to the list:

Anything to give you more space on your desk.
A big stapler that can punch through at least 15 pages.
A fast printer for those times when saving 5 minutes printing your assignments will save you marks.
Be prepared to totally mangle your textbooks - you'll want to have highlighter and post-its all through that bloody thing so you know exactly where everything is and what everything means.

[ddrueckhammer]

Add to the list:
A big stapler that can punch through at least 15 pages.


Ill second the stapler. I have a red Swingline one personally.

[adk]

You may want to look into one of those all in one print/scan/copy printers. I never thought I'd use mine but I found myself copying other people's notes all the time. I mean, you could just go to class but let's be realistic here.

[cal6n]

1. Excel. You can use Word or Pages for your writing but there's still only one choice of spreadsheet, in real terms.

2. "Engineering with Excel' by Ronald W Larsen. Teach yourself how to use it correctly as a scientist.

3. A good scientific calculator. Try to find out whether there's an approved list for exams and buy the best that's allowed. Read the instructions and learn how to use all the functions.

4. Stationary. Pens, pencils, hole punch, stapler and steel rule.

5. A good quality espresso machine. As a science student, I've found that coffee is actually a food!

[Chundles]

5. A good quality espresso machine. As a science student, I've found that coffee is actually a food!

AMEN!!

I have my espresso machine hooked up to an IV drip. When I get home from Uni all I have to do is hook it up to the inlet in my arm.

I haven't slept since 2001...

[cal6n]

AMEN!!

I have my espresso machine hooked up to an IV drip. When I get home from Uni all I have to do is hook it up to the inlet in my arm.

I haven't slept since 2001...


Sleep? We laugh at sleep and nothing impresses a geek-girl more than a perfectly pulled Latte...

:cool:

[Chundles]

Sleep? We laugh at sleep and nothing impresses a geek-girl more than a perfectly pulled Latte...

:cool:

Yup, especially when you can pour a latté with 4 or more distinct colour layers. I love being a barista!

Sleep is for the weak, what more could you want at night than to be poring over 30 year old journal articles on molecular structure??

[ddrueckhammer]

AMEN!!

I have my espresso machine hooked up to an IV drip. When I get home from Uni all I have to do is hook it up to the inlet in my arm.

I haven't slept since 2001...

I wish I had an espresso machine. Would kill for one. I spend so much money on hit and miss Starbucks espresso.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what machine to get? I was gonna get one of those Barista machines from Starbucks when they go on sale around Christmas....Someone else told me La Pavoni but I don't have the patience for a manual machine...

[ddrueckhammer]

AMEN!!

I have my espresso machine hooked up to an IV drip. When I get home from Uni all I have to do is hook it up to the inlet in my arm.

I haven't slept since 2001...

I wish I had an espresso machine. Would kill for one. I spend so much money on hit and miss Starbucks espresso.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what machine to get? I was gonna get one of those Barista machines from Starbucks when they go on sale around Christmas....Someone else told me La Pavoni but I don't have the patience for a manual machine...

[Chundles]

I don't really have one, my folks do though at their place. Saeco Royal Professional AUD$1800 and it's the only home machine I've tasted coffee from that comes close to a proper café coffee.

Most of you will know my thoughts on coffee chain stores. Cafés are the way to go - they control what beans they use, the correct grind for the conditions and put a lot more love into their coffee than those big chains. Starbucks etc haven't really taken off here because our cafés are cheaper, more numerous and totally destroy them for coffee quality.

[cal6n]

I wish I had an espresso machine. Would kill for one. I spend so much money on hit and miss Starbucks espresso.

Does anyone have any suggestions for what machine to get? I was gonna get one of those Barista machines from Starbucks when they go on sale around Christmas....Someone else told me La Pavoni but I don't have the patience for a manual machine...

Well, I've got a Kitchenaid (http://www.espressocoffeeshop.com/store/kitchenaid_espresso_machine.html) machine with Gaggia internals, but it was rather expensive. Anything by Gaggia (http://www.espressocoffeeshop.com/gaggia_espresso_machine.htm) is cool and long lasting. The most important thing is a good pump, don't go for a steam-driven model. Also, keep it clean and de-scaled according to your manual and it'll be your friend for life.

[ddrueckhammer]

Thanks I'll keep an eye out for a Gaggia one.

Unfortunately, there aren't many cafes where I live. When I lived in Austin, TX there were all these beatnik coffee shops and really nice arty places but not here in FL. Starbucks is by my house but it depends on who makes your coffee if it is good or not... Oh and I know the coffee they use is crap...It's so sad many people don't take pride in what they do...

[obrien234]

I'm going to have to disagree with buying software before you get to school. Most schools will either provide free software or rather large discounts, and classes will inform you of what you need to buy. Buying extra software is just a rather large waste of money.

*For a chemistry degree, looking into CambridgeSoft's ChemDraw. I know my school has a licensing agreement with them, and it's the industry standard for digital chemical representations

Also about the printer, wait and see. I know for my freshman year a computer lab with 5 or so laser printers was on the top floor of my dorm. If you have a place that close and convenient, the printer in your room is going to just sit there. After the first two months or so (your first month will be quite easy in comparison to the others, don't judge it by that) decide if you would actually like a printer in your room (don't forget, ink costs a fortune).


to the list:

A lock for your laptop ($15 can save you $2000)

If you're into messenger bags Timbuk2 makes a really good laptop carrying one (its what I use, but it only fits the 15")

A long ethernet cord. Most dorms don't have wireless access, and ethernet ports are placed at inconvenient spots in the room. Buying a 25 foot or longer ethernet cord will guarantee you will have freedom to be about the room with your laptop.

[xparaparafreakx]

Thanks for all the info.

I plan to get all the things listed here if I don't have them yet, except for the beer. I do not want to drink, save that money for ps3 and wii.

[crazydrumma]

I'm not a chemisty major, (far from it actually, I'll be majoring in youth ministry) but I might be able to help come up with a list of things that I know I need...

my MBP
flash drive
A decent television
good laptop case/sleeve
stackable tupperware clothes drawers (very nice, especially for moving)
fridge
flashlight (emergencies, all though i could just my MBPs bright screen lol)
1000 pencils and pens (i lose them all the time for some reason...)
printer (it will be nice to have one so you can print out your paper when the library is CLOSED at 3:30 in the morning...)
desktop lamp
extra reserve pairs of underwear (for when you forget to do laundry...)
lots of coffee.

okay, a lot of those may have been stating the obvious, but those are things I will definitely be bringing with me.

[®îçhå®?]

Where the hell do you all get the money from??
With the extortionatly high uni fees in the UK, most people leave £30,000 in debt!!

[crazydrumma]

Thanks for all the info.

I plan to get all the things listed here if I don't have them yet, except for the beer. I do not want to drink, save that money for ps3 and wii.

Good idea. The nintendo wii: Extremely stupid name, but it looks like an extremely awesome console.

[usclaneyj]

Thanks for all the info.

I plan to get all the things listed here if I don't have them yet, except for the beer. I do not want to drink, save that money for ps3 and wii.

dude, consoles are awesome but beer can be MUCH more entertaining. plus, that ps3 ain't gonna help you with the ladies like a 18-pack of high life will.

[ddrueckhammer]

I'm going to have to disagree with buying software before you get to school. Most schools will either provide free software or rather large discounts, and classes will inform you of what you need to buy. Buying extra software is just a rather large waste of money.


I have to respectfully disagree with you. Everyone needs an office suite irregardless of their major. I am an Engineering major and use a word processor and spreadsheet etc. Also, there is a lot of good shareware like Physics 101 out there that could aid in coursework that most professors would not know about and would not recommend. Does this mean that they aren't worthy of getting?

I wouldn't recommend getting any expensive course specific software such as Maple unless you know you will use it. I'm an Engineering major so I know I will but it probably isn't necessary for many majors. Some examples of useful all around apps would be MS Office or iWork, Omni Outliner, Omnigraffle Pro (at least for many technical majors) etc...

To be honest, I find professors in general clueless about technology and software. Usually, they can't even figure out how to work a calculator unless it is the one that they were given by TI. Actually, they usually (at major American Universities) can barely speak English and are horrid teachers so technology is the least of their concerns... I'm not advocating doing everything with calculators and computers but I do advocate leveraging it to your full advantage i.e. working out your homework and using computer programs and calculators to help check your work or solve difficult problems.

You are right though, many schools at least provide large discounts on Microsoft and Adobe products but others provide the same as what can be found on the Apple website. Case in point, the Premium Mac version of MS Office sells for $60 at my school and the student/teacher version sells for $150 on Apple's website. There are other schools that get it for like $5.

BTW if you are a chemistry major and haven't taken College Chem I & II you should get Chemistry Success in 20 Minutes a Day by Michael B. Mcginnis. I have 3 or 4 chemistry study guides and this is the best one made for easy understanding of basic concepts. Plus, its only $10!

[MukelG]

Case in point, the Premium Mac version of MS Office sells for $60 at my school and the student/teacher version sells for $150 on Apple's website. There are other schools that get it for like $5.

My friend that goes to Penn State upgraded to Mac OS Tiger for like 15 bucks, I was so pissed at him :P

[Azadre]

What I recommend for college:
Desktop if you plan on staying on campus/apartment for most of the year
Notebook if you plan on frequently traveling/going home

Notebooks - Buy a nice five subject notebook and another one for work. It's nice to have two seperate notebooks

Pencils - If possible buy wooden ones with nice erasers (or invest in a pink Pearl). Wooden pencils last longer.

Pens - Depends on what you do, if you are like me invest in a nice one for keeping a lab journal.

Calculator - Ti 36 Solar. If you bring a graphing calculator, you are just hurting yourself. Learn the Calculus by hand, it makes life much simplier.

MS Office - I don't care what anyone says, this suite is king. If you have a professor emailing you something, it most likely will not be a PDF.

Backpack - don't get something elaborate, you won't use it. A simple backpack will provide the same effect and you will save money.

Thumbdrive - Transfer materials between dorm and lab

Printer - Buy one printer for your room, share it with your roommate, and buy additional ink from eBay.

I am still finishing up my freshman year at Ohio State and I have lived by the above. I used an eMac (large but cheaper than iMac!) and I have made it through my courses unscathed!

[ddrueckhammer]

Calculator - Ti 36 Solar. If you bring a graphing calculator, you are just hurting yourself. Learn the Calculus by hand, it makes life much simplier.


I agree that you should do all of your homework by hand but I think it is important to have the best calculator you can use for tests. If you get stuck on a problem you can use the calculator to check the answer. If you are in difficult Engineering or Hard Science/Math classes then you need all the advantages you can get. Since most math classes make you show your work it only gives you the advantage of knowing the answer in advance.

Plus, if you forget how to do an integral or something knowing the answer can point you in the right direction for working it out.

[MS bulldog]

Where the hell do you all get the money from??
With the extortionatly high uni fees in the UK, most people leave £30,000 in debt!!

i'm gonna go out on a limb and say they are using their student loan refund. most college students leave college with hella loan debt. i worked my way through college. having no debt when you leave school is a great feeling, plus now i can afford the things that i couldn't back then.

i am a huge proponent of financial education starting in jr. high or high school. most young peoples' financial education comes from how their parents managed money. unfortunately, most americans live in a never ending cycle of consumer debt. i'm not saying that's what everyone with a computer in college is doing, but i'm sure there are enough to make it an issue.

[tristan]

What kind of printer do you have? Going to the lab to print everything is a huge headache, and inkjet printers break left and right. You should get a cheap laser.

[Eevee]

*For a chemistry degree, looking into CambridgeSoft's ChemDraw. I know my school has a licensing agreement with them, and it's the industry standard for digital chemical representations

As a chemist, I find chemdraw indispensable. See if your school (especially the chemistry department) has the Ultra version. The nice thing about this program is that you can :

1) get the nomenclature from the structure and vice versa
2) get "theoretical" 1H NMR and 13NMR spectra (very useful for organic chemist)
3) get 3D models

Another useful program your school might have is EndNote. This way, you DON'T have to type out all the references. Just download the needed reference and let the program sort out for you.

Hope you enjoy organic chemistry as much as I do!:D

[semicharmed]

I just finished freshman year and I'd say I had the most unusual experiences of anyone here (unless anyone else goes to Tulane). I had to evacuate my dorm on freshman move-in day because of Katrina and spend my first semester at college at RPI instead of Tulane. So the essentials, some of which I sorely missed at RPI are:

Sleeve/case- I bought an STM sleeve for my Powerbook and its survived many knocks around in my bag. Whatever you choose, try to get something made with high-impact foam if you go for a sleeve, it absorbs/spreads impacts.

A printer- many schools charge for printing, and not having a printer means having to wait for library/dorm lab printers when its exam time and everyone is printing out notes and papers. Coordinate with your roommate on this, you really only need one per room. Having a build in scanner/copier will come in handy when you least expect it.

MS Office- the only time I used this was for Chem Lab every week to print out graphs of my data. Wait on buying the software though until you find out what kind of discounts the school's computer store/software program offers. Also wait on buying other software like Maple/Mathematica/Matlab until you find out what standard on campus- many schools will provide

Flash drive- an easy way to transport files.

Scientific calculator- many Calc I + II classes will only allow a scientific calculator rather than a graphing one; both Chem + Physics I at RPI banned graphing calculators also.

3-Hole punch- good for putting printed notes, old tests and class handouts into binders. Binders mean safely organized and not lost under the bed, in the back of textbooks, etc.

Stapler- good for stapling together lab reports and papers, many times there wasn't on in the classroom.

Pens and mechanical pencils- make sure you like the pens and can write comfortably with them. Mech. pencils write cleaner and are perfect for science and math tests when its inevitiable that mistakes will be made.

Binders and single subject notebooks- binder to keep in your room with handouts, old tests, ect and the single subjects to bring to class and take notes.

Pop-down hamper- try to get one with sturdy handles, as you never know how far the laundry room will be.

Messengers bag/backpack- something sturdy and comfortable to carry around your books and laptop. Go with whatever styles more comfortable.

Desklamp/clip lamp- something to put by your bed so you can work/read in bed (or at your desk) while your roommate sleeps.

Sheets/towels- one set is all that's absolutely necessary, but it's nice to have two so that when one gets rank you can pull out the othher without having to do laundry right away.

As for the computers, only take one. I went back to NOLA in November to retrieve some things (checkbook, IDs, etc.) and also got my Powerbook. RPI had loaned all of the displaced students a T-43 Thinkpad so from the middle of November until the semester ended I used two computers, it was honestly more trouble than it was worth. Back up your files regularly, and leave the TiBook at home in case of tragedy (theft/breakage).

That's what I'd recommend to start with, depending on what your room looks like and your personal habits you can always buy more at school (just avoid the bookstore, usually its overpriced) but especially if you'll be flying to school remember you'll have to pack this all up at the end of the year.

[ddrueckhammer]

What kind of printer do you have? Going to the lab to print everything is a huge headache, and inkjet printers break left and right. You should get a cheap laser.

My printer is kindof old but I have an HP 1100. It is a laserjet with scanning and copying on the front. I really love it as I have only purchased one toner cartridge since I've been in school. Laserjets are so much better if you can afford them (you won't use color that much and if you do you can go to Kinkos). It was hard to get wirelessly networked with a mac but I did it using a little Buffulo print server.

Oh, and I would advise you to live in the dorm as long as possible. I moved into an apartment as soon as I could and regretted it hugely. The dorms are so much more convenient and are really fun. I just wanted some privacy for girls etc as my dormmates kept walking in on me haha. It was a really dumb reason to move out...

[tkidBOSTON]

i'm gonna go out on a limb and say they are using their student loan refund. most college students leave college with hella loan debt. i worked my way through college. having no debt when you leave school is a great feeling, plus now i can afford the things that i couldn't back then.

i am a huge proponent of financial education starting in jr. high or high school. most young peoples' financial education comes from how their parents managed money. unfortunately, most americans live in a never ending cycle of consumer debt. i'm not saying that's what everyone with a computer in college is doing, but i'm sure there are enough to make it an issue.

I'd like to chime in too and say that if you are financing all this through student loans, BE CAREFUL!

It may seem like no problem while you're in school but being frugal in college will pay dividends when you get out.
I, unfortunately, financed an education at a private university through loans 100% on my own and am now paying it off. I left the school with $100k+ in debt and let me tell you, my friends without any payments are so much better off!

So spend only what you need, dont waste your time with all that stuff you might need until you get to school and are sure of it.

[bill4588]

I love this thread! I'm in the same boat as you, so this thread is really helpful!

[bluedevil14]

if you're going to college, you need a facebook. but be careful, they will completely destroy your academic career because of there insane addictiveness.

[bill4588]

if you're going to college, you need a facebook. but be careful, they will completely destroy your academic career because of there insane addictiveness.
yeah for real, my gf has one and she does that over any work she has to do....but she DOES have one hell of a social life.....i actually think facebook was the reason for her losing the Hope scholarship (i think it's only in GA).

[ddrueckhammer]

I'd like to chime in too and say that if you are financing all this through student loans, BE CAREFUL!

It may seem like no problem while you're in school but being frugal in college will pay dividends when you get out.
I, unfortunately, financed an education at a private university through loans 100% on my own and am now paying it off. I left the school with $100k+ in debt and let me tell you, my friends without any payments are so much better off!

So spend only what you need, dont waste your time with all that stuff you might need until you get to school and are sure of it.

Good advice about not getting too much into debt but I would say spend what you need to on academics to get through. If you don't graduate the money spent will be even more of a waste.

I currently attend USF and before that Texas A&M and I'm lucky that my parents pay all of my school related expenses and my girlfriend pays half of our living expenses. Even so, I had an 18 hour class load and worked part time last semester. I do contract drafting on the side so I make pretty good $$ per hour.

I know a few people who have tons of student loans but I know many who get at least partial monitary support from their parents. I don't know what the socio-economic climate of my school is but I assume that most people are middle class or wealthy as impoverished individuals are at a disadvantage in High School due to a lack of good teachers, supplies etc. If someone is from a poor family they probably are on some sort of assistance.