College Crunch: What Every New Grad Needs Their First Year Alone
Written by SayStudent Adminstration // 2016/07/22 // Student Living // Comments Off on College Crunch: What Every New Grad Needs Their First Year Alone

When you’re on your own for the first time at college, life can seem a little overwhelming. You’re juggling classes, extracurricular activities, probably a part-time job, not to mention household chores like laundry. The good news is, there are ways you can streamline your routine, making it easy to fulfill your school obligations and still have a social life. Here are some ideas to get you more organized and improve your life as a student.
Charging Station
Your dorm might be short on outlets, so a good charging station can ensure you can easily plug in and access all your devices. Keep your cords organized by taping small tabs onto them and lining them up or bundling them together. Some TYLT charging stations models are wireless so you can charge phones, laptops, and other devices wherever you are.
Filtered Water Bottle
Forget wasteful bottled water or drinking tepid water straight from the tap. With a filtered water bottle, you can drink fresh, clean water while saving the Earth and your wallet. It’s easy to refill from any drinking fountain and keeps you hydrated through those long classes.
Business Attire
You don’t need to splurge, but it’s a good idea to have one business suit or plain black dress you can use for a range of occasions: important class presentations, internship interviews, weddings or funerals, and other key events.
Streaming Device
These small, inexpensive gadgets plug into your TV’s HDMI port and allow you to stream subscription services like Netflix and Hulu, as well as surf the web on some models. Google Chromecast and Amazon Fire are two popular options and will give you hours of entertainment without you having to go out on the town or spend a lot.
Laptop Lock
A simple lock can help keep you from a big expense and hassle if your laptop gets stolen from the library or dorm room. Choose a model with a long cord and a combination lock so you don’t have to worry about losing the key. There are many different types you can choose from that will keep your documents safe no matter what.
Fitness Tracker
Avoid the freshman fifteen by keeping track of your physical activity and nutrition. Some models track your sleep as well, so you can make sure you’re getting enough ZZZs before finals week. You can also set goals and compete with your friends via integrated social media. This keeps you accountable and can motivate you when you feel a slump coming on.
Noise Cancelling Headphones
Chances are, you’ll have roommates, and they might get a little too loud at times. Save your sleep and sanity with a good pair of noise canceling headphones so you can block out the world while you study (or binge watch your favorite show).
Laptop Backpack
Choose a sturdy backpack that can fit everything you need inside while you’re on the go. A good model will have a padded sleeve for your laptop along with pockets for other tech, and be durable enough to last for years.
Your first year on your own can be crazy and overwhelming at times, but don’t let an overwhelming college life get to you. Stay on top of your projects and manage your tech with some ideas here.