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WE ASKED – YOU answered.
With thousands of teenagers (and mature students) headed for college in the coming weeks, the question of what to bring and what to leave at home is high on the agenda. We asked for your must-haves.
Here’s what you said:
Be able to work and get around
Definitely a good laptop I would say, one that’s not heavy to carry around. Plus I always find copy books with sets of dividers in them really helpful for studying. And don’t forget a Leap card.
Bronwyn Kenny, studying at Maynooth University
Don’t bring everything
When I started my first year in Galway I packed my whole room into the car and I didn’t need the half of it. Get a good pair of slippers or flip flops , these are a lifesaver if you have to walk to your bathroom or shower or even if you have to share a bathroom with others.
“An extension lead is always handy to bring because you may find that the plugs in your room are located on the opposite end of the room to your bed, or that you don’t have enough sockets – when I’m getting ready for a night out the laptop is plugged in for music, my phone is charging, I need plugs for my hairdryer and straighteners…
“If you can get your hands on a printer, you can print off last minute assignments at home rather than having to head into the library in college – a big help if you are working late at night!”
Caoimhe Little, studied at NUI Galway, beginning a nursing degree in Manchester next month
Remember to get up
“I would say a REALLY good alarm clock. Especially if you’re living a long distance from campus.”
Daniel Seymour, studying at IADT
Be ready to move around
I move around a lot between lectures, labs and tutorials so I would say a travel mug for coffee (with a lid that won’t spill!) and a phone powerbank or portable phone charger so you’re not left with a dead phone halfway through the day.
Sam Seymour, studying at TCD
A4 is A1
Find a sports bag or a handbag that’s big enough to fit your laptop. Most people get a laptop case but forget they have to carry the laptop around all day, every day. And don’t forget a big refill pad for taking notes.
Emily Shiel, studying at UCD
Meanwhile in our comments section both here and on Facebook, readers suggest borrowing books from the college library instead of buying and bringing your common sense and work ethic.
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Industrial box of johns
If you are 18 / 19 yrs & have no idea what to bring to college with you then the question you should be asking yourself is. Should I be going to college.?
God, students are fierce organised these days. I went to college with a blue pen and a red pen, a refill pad and a 3.5inch floppy diskette.
@Rónán O’Suilleabháin: box of man sized tissues and a snorkel
And a penny pack of preventatives
Record each lecture and head somewhere after and write out the notes. Highlight the important parts – use a different copy/notebook for each subject and get an envelope folder for handouts for each subject too. Try get a locker if you can especially if you live far away.
@Colleen Máire Sloan: That sounds like it woulf take faaar too much time.
@Colleen Máire Sloan: you need permission to record lectures
Bag a johns
I don’t see why you have to bring a laptop everywhere. For most lectures you just have to listen and jot down a few notes. Then most of the information needs to be studied from.textbooks, at least in first and second year. I have seen a lot of students dossing on their laptops. I am not convinced they have improved teaching or learning.
Consider secondhand iPad pro as an alternative to bad laptop.
Great video discussing alternate digital note taking:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waR3xBDHMqw
A word to the wise stay off social media like Facebook Twitter ect. You won’t get and work done
It’s great I took a year out and I am back in the UL this semester doing a diplomia in drug and alcohol. After a long year of hosptial visits poked a d prodded. I’d love to be back in Oz. What a health system they have.
Your told what to have on your induction day I wouldn’t worry too much about of young guys and lads. Best of luck to ye all.
Make sure you have some way to backup that laptop – I’ve read so many stories along the lines of 3 years masters thesis lost when laptop stolen – keep all your stuff off one directory so you know what to backup – maybe sync to a free onedrive, google docs or dropbox etc…
have your say