Are you anxiously gearing up for your very first year attending college? This can be a very exciting time in your life, but it can also be very stressful. Preparing for college takes a lot of planning and forethought. Not only do you have to buy school supplies like in the past, but you will need items for your dorm room as well. Also involved in preparing for college is planning how you will pay for tuition and fees. We will go over some lists of items you will need for college as well as helpful tips on how to pay for your education.
School Supplies for College
Buying school supplies when you are attending college is more challenging than when you bought school supplies in the past for high school. Each course requires different materials that you will use throughout the semester or quarter. Not only will you need things like pencils, pens, paper, calculators and folders, you also must purchase your textbooks for each course.
Most high schools provide each student with the textbooks needed for each class, but colleges do not. Professors usually want to use the latest version of textbooks to be able to teach the students with the most updated information on that topic. Students can buy textbooks used at the book store or from places like Amazon or another online store that sells new and used textbooks. Some colleges will offer the option to rent a textbook if you do not desire to purchase it, but you can’t take this option for granted.
Once you have finished a course, you can either keep your textbook, or you have the option to sell it back to the bookstore of your choice. Be sure to check with your professor to get a list of required materials needed so you can purchase the correct supplies for each of your classes before school starts.
Dorm Supplies for College
Since most college students either live on campus in a dorm or off campus in a house or apartment, you will need to purchase some extra supplies. Your shopping list should consist of things like bed linens, towels, laundry baskets, laundry detergent, microwaves (some colleges do not allow – check first), mini fridges, couches and a computer, if you wish to have your own. Some schools will supply you with some items for your dorm room, so it is a good idea to check with your college to determine what you will have to buy. Don’t assume anything.
Paying for College
College tuition and fees are ever increasing. Each student must come up with their own way to foot the bill for school. Scholarships can be such a blessing, but you must be aware of the submission dates so you do not miss out on your chances to receive a scholarship you are eligible for. Scholarships do not have to be paid back, but some require you to keep a certain grade point average while you are attending school.
In addition to scholarships, grants and loans can also be used to pay for college. A grant is normally need based and is considered “gift” money that does not have to be paid back. Loans, whether federal or private, will need to be repaid when you are finished with school (along with any accrued interest.) Some students may choose to work part time while attending college to help out with living expenses, but many choose not to so they can devote their attention to their school work.
Hopefully you have prepared yourself as best you can for your first year of college. It can be a fun and exciting time. You can make the best of it by planning ahead and having the right supplies and financial assistance.
