Back to School-what to bring?!

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
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<p>Hi Everyone
Move-In day is inching closer and closer. I couldn't find any official list of what to bring so I was wondering if I could get some help. I am from Norcal and we're planning on driving down so I can lug all my stuff down there. Other than when move-out day comes in may, I will end up just flying back home back and forth, so I want to limit myself. As of the moment my list of what to bring includes the following:
-clothes
-macbook pro
-hangers
-alarm clock
-bicycle and lock
-bedding
-toiletries
-printer
-school supplies (bags, binders, printer paper, paper, notebooks, pens, etc)
-hamper</p>

<p>and I'm not sure what else to bring. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Also, would anyone suggest a Brita water filter? otherwise, I do have relatives in the LA area willing to take me to costco for bottled water in bulk.
Where would I store my bike during long holidays because I heard that it isn't the best idea to just leave it outside for long periods of time.
Lastly, how is the book reservation system at the USC bookstore? Is it worth buying the books there because the book list does come out in about a week. (BTW i'm a biology major if that helps)
thanks again</p>

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<p>also, is there no textbook for writing 140?</p>

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<p>There’s a course reader (printed and bound notes for the class) you buy at the bookstore for like $10</p>

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<p>Add to your list…</p>

<p>shower shoes
a plastic bucket or carrier for shampoos, etc to take to shower
prescriptions (if any) to transfer to USC pharmacy, plus OTC meds and vitamins
any protein powders, special supplements
sports stuff–rackets, shoes, swim, whatever?
fan (if you aren’t in an A/C dorm)
a few dishes/mugs to put in the microwave
iPods, cell phones, chargers, headphones</p>

<p>Also, kids leave bikes in their dorm room over the breaks, for safety.</p>

5

<p>THANKS!!
wow, in my excitement i completely left out essentials.</p>

6

<p>Here’s what Nela Love sent me on Facebook. :o
She’s currently a sophomore.</p>

<p>"Many of you have been asking me what school supplies to bring</p>

<hr>

<p>Everyone learns in different ways but what works for me is:
The basics pens, pencils, HIGHLIGHTERS,stapler, staples, tape, POST IT NOTES && Flash Cards</p>

<p>****Notebooks/paper/binder/folder if you prefer that over typing up your notes, but in college most people generally use their laptops in class for notes. However, this deff doesn’t work for everyone.</p>

<p>The only thing that is REQUIRED are the blue books/ multiple choice fill in sheets which you will be directed to buy before a midterm/final in some of your classes.</p>

<p>All the other supplies are up to what works best for your study/learning methods. :)</p>

<p>I would highly suggest buying these at your local $0.99 Cent store or at the DOLLAR store in the University Village across from the finger fountain. You really don’t need to spend extra money on luxery school supplies.</p>

<p>When it comes to Backpacks/purses/ laptop bags—> it’s whatever suits your style</p>

<hr>

<p>When it comes to BOOKS : Personally, I would recommend buying them on [Amazon.com:</a> Online Shopping for Electronics, Apparel, Computers, Books, DVDs & more](<a href=“http://amazon.com%5DAmazon.com:”>http://amazon.com) or [Half.com[/url</a>] because you save a great deal of money.</p>

<p>HOWEVER— it’s a lot easier to just buy them in the Bookstore your first semester after you know how registration/book buy backs work.</p>

<p>BOOKSTORE GOOD: In most classes you don’t need to buy your books till the 2nd class meeting. If you buy your books at the bookstore, they give you a certain window of time to return the book for full price (if your professor says you don’t use the book at all or if you dropp the class within like the first week of school).</p>

<p>BOOKSTORE TIP:" BUYING USED SAVEEEEESS" but this means you have to shop early sometimes, esp for classes that are popular because everyone buys used.</p>

<p>BOOKSTORE BAD: You can’t return Course Readers- buy these when you are absolutely certain you need it / you like the class</p>

<p>BOOK STORE BAD: It’s more expensive than the internet- but you don’t have to wait for the book to get to your dorm/ to get lost.</p>

<hr>

<p>ONLINE GOOD: Sometimes the book is less expensive online even if you pay the extra expedited shipping. So you get your book in no-time and you save money</p>

<p>ONLINE GOOD: You can buy or rent. ([url=<a href=“http://www.chegg.com%5DChegg.com”>http://www.chegg.com]Chegg.com</a> - Cheap Textbook Rentals. Search for Used Textbooks and Rent College Textbooks at Chegg.com.](<a href=“http://half.com%5DHalf.com%5B/url”>http://half.com) to rent) so for GE books that you know you will never need again renting might be smarter</p>

<p>ONLINE BAD: You can’t trust the owners. You never know when the book will actually to your dorm. It can be time consuming at times, when you begin to compare all the prices.</p>

<p>The BOOKLIST will come out on Aug 10th —> my.usc.edu –> log in –> student links –> go to Oasis (great tool by the way)—> click the last “here” –> book list under “Course Info” on the left side of your screen</p>

<p>(P.S THERE ARE NOOOO penalties for dropping a class and registering for one you like better if you do it in a timely manner)</p>

<p>Good Luck- As always let me know if you have any other questions."</p>

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<p>^ Got that too. Her messages help alot.</p>

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<p>I, for one, prefer taking paper notes. My laptop serves as more of a desktop (in the sense that I rarely move it around) at school. I might be weird, but I also prefer buying notebooks and other stuff at the bookstore… maybe that’s something I’ll grow out of, but I love seeing the USC logo on things. </p>

<p>Another thing to beware of- some booklists will say “[insert book here] with [insert name of supplemental CD]” Once you open the shrinkwrap, you can’t return it, so make sure you will actually use the disc. I spent about 30 more dollars on a calc book with the disc, and we never needed it once. It wasn’t even helpful for learning concepts.</p>

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<p>srabiee90, which calculus class was the CD not helpful for?</p>

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<p>Math 125… char</p>

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<p>In the past, I’ve always bought through half.com as its been much cheaper then physical (book)stores. I’m wary of doing so only to find out I won’t need a book from a professor…</p>

<p>How often are textbooks on the Oasis Book List that teachers ultimately say are unnecessary? Also, is it possible to access a teacher’s site or email him/her beforehand?</p>

<p>Basically, what and when is the best way to buy books online?</p>

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<p>If we submit a reservation request online at the USC Bookstore for the books we need for certain classes, are we ‘obligated’ to pick them up? What if we find an alternate way to get the books before pick up, do they just give the books to someone else?</p>

<p>Basically, do we have to pick them up if we reserve them?</p>

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<p>@ stylar, one of my professors already emailed the students in the lecture session and told us about what books we’ll be needing.</p>

<p>But most of my friends who are at USC tell me that it’s best to wait until the first day of class and see what you’ll be needing because some of the books on the book list aren’t used.</p>

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<p>@forever9:</p>

<p>Thanks dude. And once we find out on the first day, will we still have sufficient time to order the book online, or would an immediate purchase at the bookstore be the only option at that point?</p>

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<p>I heard that some professors allow you some time to get the books. But I’m sure emailing your professor now and asking about which books you’ll be needing won’t hurt :)</p>

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<p>I’ve also bought books from the bookstore in a pinch when my online purchase was late in coming and then returned them a few days later (250 page book for 170 bucks from the bookstore compared to 100 online is pretty ridiculous)</p>

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<p>^ That’s a good idea. Since I heard if you return the book(s) you buy at the USC Bookstore within a certain number of days, they return it full price.</p>

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<p>So, do all room come with a safe, or would it be worth bringing something “lockable”?</p>