Look at yourself and offer congratulations—you’re a student at Salt Lake Community College! Whether this is your first step to a more expansive institution or you’re just in it for the short haul; there are some things out there that anyone in any college situation should smack on their back-to-school list. Get ready for the ride of your life!
1. Electronics: While computers these days are a must, that tablet, smart-phone or iPod Touch will keep you sane. Need directions? Done. Music? It’s better than earplugs. It’ll also come with Internet, a notepad and apps to get you through those in-between classes.
2. SLCC OneCard: Just being a student gets you this privilege, but don’t forget to put money on it! It’ll be your credit card if you want it to be, but it doubles as a debit. As long as there’s something green on the black strip, you bypass the five-dollar minimum at the food court, and you’re safe if you forget cash.
3. Sturdy bag w/ paper folders: Some would call it a no-brainer, but it still gets overlooked. Organization is the key to collegiate success. Have a specific place for every class, keep it in your bag, don’t break the system, and you’ll never forget a paper at home.
4. Black Book or Journal: Electronics are good for keeping tabs, but there’s nothing like a tangible bind of paper in which to keep the important stuff. You don’t have to write emotive things in it, but spark-thoughts are real, passwords shouldn’t be on your computer, and anything you absolutely need to remember should be kept here.
5. Uppers: They come in many forms for many people. Chances are, when you’re in school, that there’s going to be a late night or 12—be prepared. Uppers can come in the form of a balanced breakfast and stretch anywhere from water, coffee, cigarettes or whatever your vice may be—just don’t break the code of conduct.
6. Sociability: You know your first day of class when everyone is staring at “the others” and awkwardly judging in their heads? Don’t be that person. You never know where a friendly comment will take you (social media or real world). Break the comfort zone a bit, don’t be creepy, and make new friends.
7. Designated study spots: Even this differs for everyone. Some people study better sitting in the middle of a Juicy J concert than they do in the library. Some people can study in their rooms better than they can at the Student Center. Whatever it is, know where you learn best and go there every time work needs to get done.
8. The cheapest places to get books: They’re expensive, and it will only help you to know when you know what books you absolutely need to buy, when you should rent and where the best bang for your buck is.
9. Know your area: Chances are that you’ll be spending lots of time at the place you go to school. Restaurants, bookstores, coffee shops, malls, etc., are all around you. Know where to take a break and how to keep student life interesting, because there’s an entire world at your disposal.
10. Sleep: Procrastinating keeps you up at night, and heavy workloads do the same. Nothing is more important than your health, so be glad that there’s always tomorrow morning, breathe a bit and give yourself a break.
