<p>Let’s not get into a PC vs Mac debate. If you have the money to spend in a computer, spend it on what you like. (And by your koalafications Tom, Mac koalafies.)</p>
<p>what if you have linux? :(</p>
<p>
I found my TI-84+ at goodwill for $6…totally epic find. I don’t think they realized what they had.</p>
<p>I would also agree that a windows laptop would be best. Obviously there are always going to be people that prefer Mac’s, but in my experience, you will never run into compatibility issues if you’re running Windows. There have been plenty of instances of compatibility issues with people running Mac’s though.</p>
<p>If you’re going into one of the hard sciences or engineering, Windows is extremely helpful although certainly not necessary (one of my former bosses is a huge Mac fanboy and also an electrical engineering professor). </p>
<p>I’ve found small grid graph paper to be extremely helpful in my math and geology classes. It allows for easier graphing, and a bit more precision with helps with visualization of the concepts. </p>
<p>Other supplies I always like to have around:
-mini stapler
-ruler with a 3 hole punch
-2.5" binder
-lined paper
-printer paper
-mechanical pencils
-highlighters
-gel pen
-clip board
-textbook stand
-calculator (especially one that displays the numbers like a textbook would)
-smartphone with Wolfram Alpha, Free Graph Calc, Cam Scan, and some type of planner app.</p>
<p>you can save a lot of money on supplies if you just computerize all of your school stuff. Use cloud services, take notes online, flashcard/notebook apps, etc.</p>
<p>That works better for some fields than others. Unless you’re using a tablet, it’s very difficult to take notes in STEM subjects on a computer. Plus, it’s been shown that physically writing something down (as opposed to typing it out) improves retention rate. </p>
<p>Even if a student isn’t interested in the sciences, computers can be extremely distracting when studying. I’m hardly a technophobe, but still insist on minimizing my use of the laptop.</p>
<p>I’m a STEM major and it works pretty well for me. Most of my professors will post online slides from lecture so I just download those and add my class notes to them. </p>
<p>Obviously everyone studies and learns a little bit differently. I personally find that the more technology I have, the more efficient I am. But everyone has their own way, you just gotta find what works best for you</p>
<p>As you said, everyone’s different, but I would absolutely hate taking notes on an electronic device. Something like math notes would be especially difficult I think. I’m not the kind of person that really does take a lot of notes in general, as I find myself absorbing the material more effectively if I’m not constantly trying to jot down every word being said, but in my experience, the act of physically writing it down is a lot more efficient.</p>
<p>I’d also second the graph paper suggestion. If you’re in a STEM field that involves math in any kind of capacity, having graph paper is great. You can always just print it out from the internet, but having it contained in a spiral notebook is nice.</p>
<p>Computer science major here. </p>
<p>My bag always has:
- laptop
- notebook
- pencils
- pens
- wallet (with ID card, debit card, and keys)
- lip balm
- water bottle</p>
<p>I occasionally also use:
- iPad
- Kindle
- resume holder
- folder (for handouts and loose papers)
- laptop and phone chargers
- highlighters
- textbooks
- mini stapler
- whiteboard markers (useful for group study sessions)
- index cards
- scissors</p>
<p>So far, none of my classes have required any kind of calculator. If you do end up needing one, it’ll probably have to be a specific kind, so there’s no point buying one until you know you need it. </p>
<p>For an engineering major at my school, the computer you have doesn’t matter since you have access to computer labs with all the software you need. I have a Mac and haven’t run into any issues.</p>
<p>I wasn’t starting a general Mac vs. Windows debate, but a student-focused one.</p>
<p>The poster above is a CS major, and CS majors always have access to labs with whatever software they need. (although just try being in a big project class that uses Visual Studio and TFS and tell me how much fun it is to have to come to the lab all of the time instead of using your own computer) But not every major is given similar labs.</p>
<p>Somebody taking some kind of management course posted a thread here a few weeks ago about software <em>necessary</em> for her class that only ran on Windows. It stinks (especially for Linux people like me), but for a student the most optimal arrangement, the one least likely to cause problems, is to have a laptop or desktop running Windows. For CS majors, I’d say having Linux is also important.</p>
<p>I agree with that^^^^</p>
<p>I think a Windows based computer tends to be the best option for a student. That’s not to say that Windows is any better than any other operating system, but in my experience, and from what I’ve heard from other people, Windows tends to be the most universal operating system for a student. You’ll almost never run into a situation where you can’t run a program on Windows, but there are quite a few that won’t run on a Mac.</p>
<p>Or you just have both. Problem solved. </p>
<p>Just got all of my school supplies. I’m extremely ready for this school year. :)</p>
<p>comfortablycurt, I’ve had programs that wouldn’t run on windows before. Well, more specifically it was project code. The professors in charge preferred mac/linux, and developed a project on it. Flat out could not compile/run on windows. It was fine on the other two, but the windows folk were stuck ssh’ing into a machine. Also, if you plan to develop iPhone apps or something, can’t do that on Windows. 
I know OP probably won’t have a need for either of those, but any OS could have compatibility issues. Here, mac and windows are both pretty popular, and there’s a fair number of linux machines around too.</p>
<p>Just pick whichever OS works best for you. If you can’t run a program that’s required, either find a computer lab or find a different program. I’d say liking and being comfortable with your computer is more important than possibly having compatibility issues with miscellaneous unknown software.</p>
<p>Okay: non-CS majors should buy a Windows machine, CS majors can just figure it out for themselves or they don’t deserve to be CS majors.</p>
<p>I wish Windows weren’t the standard, but I’m just trying to save the OP and anybody else from getting caught in the “ooh, pretty!” trap of buying a Mac and then not being able to run course-required software.</p>
<p>Okay: non-CS majors should buy a Windows machine, CS majors can just figure it out for themselves or they don’t deserve to be CS majors.</p>
<p>I wish Windows weren’t the standard, but I’m just trying to save the OP and anybody else from getting caught in the “ooh, pretty!” trap of buying a Mac and then not being able to run course-required software.</p>
<p>I’m planning on a computer for as many classes as possible, and only notebook(s) for classes where the notation gets tricky to type (i.e. Calc, Chem).
Outside of that, graphing calculator, pens, pencils… standard stuff.</p>
<p>For engineering and technical majors, you should definitely do some research on what your college expects as far as a laptop. One university’s engineering program says you can use Macs, but they include a long exhausting description of everything you will need to do in order to run all of the required software on your Mac.</p>
<p>two of my sons preferred to get those portfolios with several pockets, one for each class, and a spiral notebook for each class as well. They found the pockets were useful to keep handouts organized, as well as class notes, notes for paper/projects they were working on etc. They stuck the spiral notebook in the portfolio, along with a couple of pens/highlighters, and were ready to go to the class or the library just by grabbing the portfolio.</p>