When entering your freshman year, you all of a sudden feel like a 5 year old child again, diligently following the rules and being paranoid that you’re going to get in trouble. You also feel like you need to buy EVERYTHING JUST IN CASE. But I’m here to help you swallow your nervousness and inform you about what you should invest time and money in so that you can succeed!
INVEST IN
- A sturdy umbrella. You may think that the rain won’t be that bad or you can just rush to where you’re going or stand under scaffolding. I’m warning you now…the rain will come and your $6 umbrella with polka dots from Target will not save you from the downpours. Get an umbrella that truly locks into place and go Mary Poppins on you with one gust of wind.
- Shoes. I cannot stress this enough. You don’t think you’re going to walk that much, but you do. You’re going to want a pair of shoes for each type of weather and ones that are comfortable! Rain boots may not be the most fashionable, but they will keep you dry during the rainy and snowy months.
- Socks. While this may sound silly, thick and warm socks are a beautiful gift. When winter rolls around and you’re waiting to see the Rockefeller Christmas Tree light up, you can thank Grandma for those knitted wool socks from 2012.
- A locker. If you are a commuter student and going home for lunch in between classes seems daunting or impossible, get a locker! You can store your textbooks, personal items, and school supplies in there year round. Nothing is worse than forgetting something at home or wishing that you had somewhere to put something in a rush.
- Portable Charger. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been running low on my phone battery and needed to charge it. While most people carry their cords with them everywhere, a portable charger is handy when you don’t have a plug, on the go, or don’t want to bug someone to use theirs.
SAVE ON
- Computer Software. If you are living in the dorms your freshman year, I highly recommend waiting to purchase all of the hefty software used for editing and designing until the library isn’t easily accessible to you. The library has amazing hours during the week and there is a 24 hour computer lab available as well. Every computer at FIT has the necessary software used in your classes. Save yourself the Creative Cloud debt and wait.
- Textbooks & School Supplies. DO NOT…I repeat…DO NOT buy your textbooks before classes start unless your professor has told you otherwise. Half of the textbooks and “required” supplies, I have NEVER used. I could’ve saved so much money if I had just purchased the items when I needed it.
- EVERYTHING. Many stores whether they advertise it or not have student discounts. Just ask the cashier if they do and a lot of the time, you’ll get very lucky! Who says being a student doesn’t have its perks?
Happy savings!
Ashley