One of the most important supplies for success in college is a computer. Many students choose to bring laptops, which are easily transportable to class to take notes, the library to do research or the coffee shop to work on assignments. However, desktops may provide greater storage space, so they are also a viable option. If your major requires specific software (e.g., music composition, film editing, public relations design), consider installing such software on your computer so that you do not always have to use computer labs. Having a printer in your room may also make life easier when it comes time for printing assignments.
The life of a college student is often packed with classes, meetings, meals and library time, all of which happens away from the residence hall. To make life easier, you might consider packing a backpack with your day's worth of materials and carrying it around for the day so that you do not need to constantly return to your room. Remember, you probably won't have a locker to stash your belongings between classes, and it may be a long hike back to your residence hall in the middle of the day.
One thing many college students are not prepared for when they come to college is college writing. You will likely have to take at least one college writing course, and many major classes will require more in-depth papers. Find out which writing style guide will be required by most of your classes (e.g., American Psychological Association, Modern Language Association, Chicago), and purchase the corresponding manual. You may be surprised how often you consult that manual as you determine how to format citations and reference pages.
Once in college, you become responsible for yourself. Teachers no longer keep you organized, and parents no longer make sure you are where you need to be at all times. For this reason, it is essential to purchase a planner or a personal digital assistant (PDA) that will keep your life organized. Be sure to use this planner or PDA to keep track of assignments, class times, meetings, rehearsals and anything else you may find yourself busy with during college.
College courses often require a lot of reading and note-taking. Perhaps different from high school, you will purchase the books for your college classes, so be sure to make them your own. Use highlighters to mark important sections, and don't be afraid to take notes in the margins of the pages. Be prepared to take detailed notes during classes so that you have accurate and thorough material from which to study.
Many college professors provide classes with handouts during class, and you will also be receiving back-graded papers that you will want to hold onto. Keep yourself organized by purchasing folders and binders. Create a system that works for you, whether it be one large binder for all your classes, or one folder for each class. Having all of your material in one place will make you feel a lot less overwhelmed and a lot more prepared.