Essentials For First Year Students
Just a mere year ago I was someone who was once in your shoes (now a second year nursing student), and I want to set the record straight for you as you prepare for your first year at UNE. Let me just say you can’t find these little tidbits about campus life in those college brochures. So let’s begin.
First don’t worry about packing extra change for the washer and dryer. At UNE each residence hall has its very own washer and dryer that are free to UNE students. They’re also “efficient” washers, which just means you don’t have to use as much soap as you would for a normal washer.
Also don’t bother packing you entire wardrobe. I highly recommend packing up your summer wear and a few fall items (jeans, a light jacket) because it is still hot inside and outside. I’d hate to see you regret yourself for not packing some summer clothes. Another reason why you should not pack too much clothes is that by thanksgiving break or our October vacation you can pack up you fall clothes, bring them home and repack your winter wear (highly recommend you pack boots, gloves, a hat and scarf- it gets mighty chilly).
Another recommendation is don’t buy the entire Staples catalog of stuff “college students need.” I’ll admit post-its, and highlighters came in handy, but you won’t desperately need crayons, markers, erasers, mountains of notebooks, elastic bands and colored construction paper. No. What I recommend is a box of pens, a box of sharpened #2 pencils, a box of post-its, a box of paper clips, highlighters, a calendar, a stapler, and maybe 4 notebooks and folders. I know this is going to be tough for some of you to hear but please wait till you go to class before you rush out and buy, buy, buy. Usually your professor will tell you what you will need. I had one class where we were assigned to design a poster -and the professor provided all the materials for us to do the project anyways! Also, most professors will use PowerPoint in their lecture, and those notes can be printed off a computer at one of UNE’s many computer labs (you really don’t need a printer). So there isn’t a huge need to have stacks and stacks of notebooks.
Now this is more geared towards the girls I guess, but I bet some guys might understand? I know Pottery Barn Teen, Delia’s, Alloy, and etc are probably sending you catalogs full of stuff that make a dorm room seem like a hip New York studio loft, but guess what your not going to be able to fit all that stuff inside your room! Maybe one chair is all? Maybe! I know those cute decorative pillows, rippling curtains, fuzzy rugs and art deco wall hangings are really cool, but they are not practical. Please wait and see what it is you need before you go out and buy. If you do buy a curtain you must keep in mind that it will have to be dunked in fire retardants at UNE which make the curtains starchy and stiff (but no longer a fire hazard!). So don’t invest too much money in decorations. Don’t us college students have enough to pay for anyways?
Finally, save the grocery shopping for latter. I think it is smart to wait till you are settled inside your dorm before you rush out and buy mounds of snack food and drinks. I know your saying, “Awh I can’t live without my Fonta/Pepsi/Freshca/insert favorite drink here.” However, I don’t think you’ll be all too happy lugging those 12 packs up stairs after bringing everything else you own up stairs too. If you wait before you go grocery shopping you might have a better idea of what you can actually fit inside your room. I’d like to recommend to those future UNE students who want to stay healthy in college that healthy food like natural almonds, peanuts, single serve popcorn, carrot sticks, apples, bananas, nonfat yogurts, and water, water, water are much better alternatives than chips, nachos, and Easy-Mac.
Well I hope this advice helps. Please feel free to comment me and send me an e-mail or question. I’d be glad to help.
