necessities needed for a college student

hi readers! this morning, I made the mistake of getting to my class an hour early before it actually begins. {parents, if you're reading this, don't say to me, "it's good to be early!!"} while it is good to be early, I don't think it's good to be too early. but if it ever happens to you {and me again...}, start double checking things. did you do all your homework? did you bring the correct materials? do I need to go to the restroom? etc. 

now, without further ado, here is a list of necessities I believe you need as a college student {eh, what the heck. maybe you might need these in high school, too}. 

1. Portable Charger 

If your phone is dangerously low, charging it with a portable charger during class is great! Since many professors don't allow phones in class, putting it on airplane mode and plugging it in gets to 100% speedy fast. 

2. RunKeeper App

You don't have to run in this amazing app! Set the mode to walk and it will calibrate how far you've walked all across campus. It's amazing how much walking you really do at a big university like UofA. 

3. Colorful pens and markers

What would life be like without color?! Keeping notes colorful {and organized!} is a scientifically proven tip to help you remember the information you need to know and they are a must for boring lectures. :) 

4. An agenda

Don't just fill up your entire photo space with pictures of homework assignments, write 'em down!! On top of that, write down events such as football games and kick off parties so you will be reminded to actually go. :)

5. A laptop/extra spiral/a book

If you have nothing to do before your next class, these are the three best things to have. If you have nothing to do, you can always think of at least something with one of 'em. 

6. A wallet with your room key and student ID and other importants 

They stress this a TON at the UofA: always. have. your. Catcard!!!!!!!! Don't rely on your roommate to leave the door unlocked when you have a break and she doesn't. 

7. A watch

It's a bad habit {and a lil impolite} to whip out your phone in the middle of class to check the time. With a watch, you can just look right on your wrist and be like, "oh, looky there, it's 12:02!". I was told by one of my teachers in middle school that some teachers/professors will purposely make a clock broken just so you don't stare at it waiting for class to end. GET A WATCH! 

8. For girls, a hair tie; for guys, a rubber band. 

No, this is not to put up your hair! When ever you're trapped in a long, boring lecture with a monotonous professor and need to stay awake, simply snap the hair tie / rubber band to wake you up. It helps, trust me. :)

9. Trusty shoes and or a bike

If you need to haul ass across campus, you might need some great shoes and or a bike. {Flipflops are never good, people.} My tip for people that are up against the clock, sit near an exit of a lecture and once you are excused, GO, GO, GO! 

10. A smile 

You can learn a lot from musicals. In this case, in Annie, you learn, "you're never fully dressed without a smile". Boy, is that true! Always have a smile on your face, even if you got like no sleep whatsoever, a smile will allow you to meet new people in your class of 150. 

here's to an awesome semester with these tips!! {I feel like Ned from Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide} 

bear down!,

andie :)