<p>parents i need your help. i'm an upcoming freshman to college and i have no idea how to plan for the upcoming expenses that i will have to spend. well, here's my situation. my tuition/r&b is already dealt with. the college says i should expect to spend 1067 on books/supplies, 1460 on personal expenses, 1534 on transportation, and 2500 on my laptop. now i'll probably spend less on travel because i don't have a car to maintain, the school is only 300 miles away, and i'll either get a ride to school or greyhound. but my supply money might be more because i'm a design major and personal expenses might be more because i'm a girl, and we have a lot of needs. lol. i should be getting a 1000 scholarship in my name for personal use, 1500 workstudy, and hope to make 1500 for summer job. i also have some scholarships to pay for books/trans/personal that will be paid to the school. my question is, how much money should i be spending on school supplies/clothes before school starts? i'm not even sure what i need to buy. how will i know what's enough?</p>
<p>You can buy your texts online, used, and save a ton of money. </p>
<p>Some kids don't bring a laptop to school, if they cannot afford it. Most schools are so well connected and have computers everywhere. Their libraries very often let you borrow their laptops. If you do want a laptop, you could spend $1200 and get a decent one. You could also spend half as much and get a desktop instead. (If you are getting driven to school then the size/weight is not an issue). Not sure how many kids actually carry their laptops around. I know mine doesn't.</p>
<p>You can bring most supplies form home; notebooks, paper, pens, stapler etc. etc. there is a comprehensive list made by some students here on CC.</p>
<p>Clothes....you bring what you have. Don't know anyone that got outfitted in all new clothes before leaving home. Depending on weather conditions, you may need better boots, coats, etc. Otherwise, just lay out your clothing in piles on your bed, and see what is lacking. Some jeans, sweats, depends on what your style is. If you are going to Cornell, you will see most kids dressed very casually, some even in grunge, and a few really dressed up.</p>