<p>Hey everybody,</p>
<p>I need some help here. I've been in online elementary school, middle school, high school, and completed a certificate in veterinary assisting last week online. So after being in online school for the past 8 years, I'm FINALLY going to a public college.</p>
<p>I am going to a community college and not living in a dorm, but with my parents. I also commute an hour each way.</p>
<p>What do I REALLY need for school supplies? I have a very good laptop that I got from a scholarship last year and I am allowed to use it in classes as long as I am not doing things off-topic, etc.</p>
<p>Do I really need notebooks? I am at least getting one for math (and graphing paper) but I am not sure if I should be getting them for my other classes (English 101, Principles of Equine Science, Equine Business and Law).</p>
<p>Classes that are diagram/formulae/function/image heavy usually require physical note taking in a spiral notebook or binder. Classes that are more verbal/writing like humanities courses are more flexible in that you could use your laptop and a word processing program. </p>
<p>Actually the laptop policy all depends on your teacher, so depending on whether or not they allow it, then you should get or not get a notebook.</p>
<p>But this question really just depends. Of course, laptops are definitely more efficient for teens, but it might not be the case for the elderly, etc. you get what I’m saying?</p>
<p>But here’s what I recommend.
Get a few notebooks (1 or 2) for the first few days, one for math (which is a must, because typing math notes on the computer is a total uh-no…) and the other can act just like a spare tire.
Backpack
Wooden pencil (for tests, I know, in this century?)
Your favorite writing utensil
Calculator
Laptop
Folder (you still get handouts in college) and you want to keep it as neat as possible
Planner</p>
<p>Those are of course just the bare essentials. If your smart, and you own brain can organize things, than you won’t need the next list I will provide:
Flash cards (personally I hate them, but if they help you study, ehh. I recommend studyblue )
Highlighter
Water
Multiple folders and binders
Dividers
Sticky notes
White out
Colorful pens to take notes</p>
<p>In my experience, most professors have not allowed students to take notes on a laptop/tablet. That’s different at a lot of schools, but it’s the norm here. Personally, I prefer taking my notes on paper anyway.</p>
<p>My supply needs are pretty minimal. Some people go crazy with it. I have a 5 subject notebook for each class. Most of my classes are sequenced (physics, math etc) so it’s nice to have notes from previous semesters all together. For my Gen Ed type classes, a 1 subject notebook will typically suffice. I get notebooks that have built in folder pockets. That way I don’t have to worry about getting folders. I generally get a couple extra notebooks to keep at home just for homework and practice problems and such.</p>
<p>Beyond that, I have two nice mechanical pencils that I really like. One stays on my desk at home, and the other stays in my backpack. I get some nice pens. My TI84+ Silver Edition graphing calculator. A big eraser to keep on my desk at home. Extra lead.</p>
<p>That’s really it. I have my laptop and my backpack too, but I don’t necessarily count those as ‘supplies’ in quite the same sense. </p>
<p>Thanks guys! Scottsdale Community College (and from my understanding, ALL of the professors there) allows you to take notes on laptops. They are very into their technology.</p>
<p>That’s a plus. You’ll definitely want to try different note taking styles. You might find that you prefer using a laptop, but you might find that you absorb the material more by writing it down. There are a lot of studies that show the act of physically writing reinforces memorization. </p>
<p>As already mentioned, certain classes that are symbol/diagram heavy like math and science classes are often pretty difficult to do on a laptop, so that’s something to keep in mind.</p>