• By Smriti
• Posted June 21, 2017

The ultimate college checklist.

With the admission processes coming to an end and the interviews going well, most of us are getting into the colleges of our preference.

This means semester starts soon and we have never been more excited!

With college, comes the great burden of being “perfect” on the D-day.

First things first, there is no such thing as perfect. But here is a list of all things college from someone who nailed their Day 1!

• Stationery- I cannot tell you how silly it is to flip around a sheet of paper trying to jot down everything in that tiny piece from a pen you borrowed from someone you met 3 seconds ago. Get a small notebook or diary and a pen, at least, for your first day to note all your classes and schedules.

After that, gradually get yourself proper stationery- buy a new calculator if your course demands, get pencils, highlighters, a thick notebook for notes and multiple pens. Multiple pens- always.

• A big backpack or handbag- You will be handling an insane amount of notes, books, photocopies and what not. A big bag can be a saviour in such situations. Ensure you bag is spacious and has enough pockets to fit everything from a pin to plane; maybe even Russia.

Organise your bag well so you know where everything is. You don’t want to drop pins, pens and 200 sheets while looking for your earphones.

• A file holder or notes binder- If you're not a notebook person, keep a notes binder or file holder handy for all the loose sheets that tear and get crumpled at the bottom of your bag and get lost forever only to get cleaned once a year by being dumped in the trash straight.

Take 5 minutes every day to put your sheets in order. Thank us during exam time.

• Comfortable clothes and shoes- College involves a lot of walking in the open since almost all campuses are huge. Do yourself a favour, and wear the most comfortable shoes you own.

A pair of jeans and t-shirt goes a long way in the comfort game. Invest in a pair of sunglasses and a watch that suits your everyday style.

• A calendar/journal/notes app- Nothing is more infuriating than missing a deadline you thought you would remember.

This is a life hack in general, write things down if you’re bound to forget or the deadline is more than 3 days away. The 3-day rule helps big time.

This advice is especially helpful if you have more than just college to juggle like extracurricular, sports or internships.

Your phone calendar, a notes and reminders app or just an old school journal- take your pick.

• A power bank and earphones- College comes with the perk of using your cell phone freely. But it also comes with long hours and extensive travel time on and around the campus.

In such a case, a power bank and earphones are your best friends. Keep them handy for times your phone is drained and you really need to Google those answers or when you’re on the metro and all you hear is people in a hubbub, plug your earphones and you’re good to go.

• Extra stuff that is important- This may vary for everyone but some standard things include your mints, a small deodorant, band-aids, a water bottle and some snacks (Maybe even a lipstick, girls). Keep all your IDs and library cards at one place in a card holder for super easy access! (Bonus: Things you may haven’t thought of- earplugs, sunscreen, face wipes, tissues, sanitizer and secret money stash!)

This list might give you an idea of how exciting and hectic college can be. But that doesn’t mean it is going to stop you from living the much-awaited college life.

And if you’re still confused about what college you want to go to, head to admissionX.com for your one stop solution to all admission problems.