How to Shop for College Preparation (with Pictures)

2024 Author: Jason Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-19 22:11

Preparing for college is a fun but frustrating process, and that part of getting ready can be one of the most stressful. Make your experience easier by following this guide when shopping for college prep.

Step

Part 1 of 7: Printed Books

Step 1. Search and/or get it directly from a trusted source

Some universities usually provide printed books that are purchased separately or packaged in the application fee. If not, the university or lecturer usually includes a list of mandatory books that students must have for each course. Either way, don't just buy a printed book at a bookstore.

Step 2. Buy the book online

You may be able to find reasonably priced books at your university bookstore. But usually, you can find and buy the book you are looking for at a much cheaper price on the internet.

• Find the book you are looking for on bookstore websites such as Gramedia Online, Bookstore from Scoop, and others.
• Also visit the website for buying and selling used or new books at various online stores such as Tokopedia.

Step 3. Consider buying an older version of the printed book

You can usually buy an older edition of a printed book at a lower price without any serious risk or trouble.

But you may need to confirm with your lecturer about this. Sometimes lecturers require you to buy printed books in certain editions because there are significant differences in content from one edition to another

Step 4. Rent the book

Renting a printed book doesn't guarantee you'll pay less, but it's usually cheaper to rent a book than buying it, especially if the book is only being used temporarily. Consider renting and buying options and then decide which option is the most appropriate for you to choose for the book you want.

You can check campus or nearby bookstores to see if you can rent books there. Or, you can visit an online book rental website such as Reading Walk

Step 5. Look for coupons, discounts, or deals

If you really want to save money, you can look for deals, discounts, or coupons that will allow you to save money when buying books, both in stores and online. Opportunities like this will usually arise right when many students are about to enter a new semester and need a lot of printed books. But always pay attention to whether the discount or promo given has certain restrictions and rules or not (for example only applies to books by certain publishers).

Check bookstore websites whether they are online or not. Or, look for promo coupons on websites like Groupon

Step 6. Joint venture with a trusted friend

If you have a friend who also needs to buy the same printed book but has a different class schedule, try partnering with them and using the book together.

Step 7. Buy or borrow from seniors

Seniors who no longer use the printed books you need will certainly be happy to sell, lend, or even give them away often. Even if the book were to be sold, it would be very cheap because he only wanted to make a little money from the book, regardless of the amount.

Step 8. Check the international edition

Printed books in English usually have two versions, a local version and an international version. As long as the international version is printed in the same language, this can be a good option for you. However, do your research carefully, because the international version of the book is sometimes cheaper, but it can also be more expensive.

If you buy online, also check the shipping costs. Don't let shipping costs from overseas be too expensive and make your overall costs swell

Part 2 of 7: Academic Equipment

Step 1. Prepare stationery

Even if you plan to use your computer a lot, you will still need some basic stationery to study both in class and at home.

• Buy pens and pencils for taking notes and taking exams.
• Buy highlighters to help you study.
• Also have an eraser and x-type ready if you feel the need.

Step 2. Buy supplies that keep your notes tidy

Folders and notebooks are important items for this. But there are also a few other options that can come in handy if you're a little bit clever about them.

• You can purchase a three-hole binder, a hole punch, a subject divider, and some paper binders to help organize notes.
• Buy a backpack or sling bag that you can take to campus and classes.

Step 3. Keep your study desk tidy

The table in your boarding room will be a place for lots of stationery and paper. So, buy equipment that can help you tidy all that up so you don't get stressed and stressed when you look at your desk. Consider buying:

• Paste paper
• Calendar or schedule board
• EYD dictionaries and books (if needed)
• Calculator
• Eraser, ruler, scissors, stapler and tape, tacks and duct tape.

Step 4. Purchase a capable computer and tech equipment

If you don't have one, immediately buy a computer or laptop. Most lessons will require you to type and print assignments. In addition, computers can also help you in doing research and providing entertainment.

• In addition to a computer, consider buying:

  • Printer
  • Printing paper or HVS
  • Printer ink
  • USB or other external data storage device
• Find out if your campus has a computer lab that comes with a printer and can be used to print documents. If there is, you can use it to save on printer costs.

• Step 1. Find out the size of the bed in the room

  Most boarding rooms usually provide a bed and mattress for one person. However, since single-person mattresses generally come in two types, you should know the size of the mattress in your room before buying something like bed sheets.

  • You may also need to purchase pillows and pillowcases and blankets.
  • You may also need mattress pads to make your bed more comfortable.

  

  Step 2. Purchase other room fixtures

  Most boarding houses usually already provide a table and cupboards. Some also provide chairs and mirrors. If you don't get a mirror, buy one.

  • If your room doesn't have a mirror, buy a full-body mirror.
  • You may also need to buy table lamps and floor lamps to complement the bedroom lights already installed in your room.

  

  Step 3. Buy an alarm clock

  An alarm clock is a must-have, unless you have a cell phone equipped with a reliable alarm. But even if you already have a cellphone for an alarm, there's nothing wrong with having an alarm clock in your room.

  You may also need to purchase items that can help you sleep more quickly and soundly, such as earplugs and eye patches so that you get a good night's rest

  

  Step 4. Know what clothes to bring

  You should definitely bring some clothes that you will use during college. Sure, there will be times when you have to buy some new clothes due to university demands or other reasons, but other than that you certainly don't want to spend extra money on clothes.

  • Prepare clothes for bad weather. Raincoat, jacket and umbrella are the basic equipment for this one.
  • If the climate where you live is different from the climate where you come from, buy clothes that suit the climate of your new place of residence.

  

  Step 5. Prepare the storage area

  Some of the items you carry may only be used at certain times. In other words, you need a place to store those items when you're not using them.

  Also consider buying shelves for books, shoes, and other items you need to find and easily grab when needed

  

  Step 6. Decorate your room

  Although it's not really necessary, you can consider buying things that can decorate the walls and doors of your room. This room will be your home for a number of years, so there's nothing wrong with making it a comfortable place to live. Some of the choices of goods that you can use include:

  • bulletin board
  • Poster
  • Message boards and pens to hang on the front door.

  

  Step 7. Purchase additional suitcases

  If you've never owned your own suitcase, now is the time to buy one or two. To get a cheaper deal, buy suitcases in a set if you really need to.

  Part 4 of 7: Self Care

  

  Step 1. Buy toiletries

  You will need at least one large bath towel and washcloth. But there are some other toiletries that you may need to buy.

  • Buy bath slippers to protect your feet from bacteria left in the shared bathroom.
  • Purchase shampoo and soap, as well as other cleaning products as needed.
  • If your room has a bathroom, buy small towels, bath mats, and toilet paper.
  • Purchase a small bucket, toiletries bag, or toiletries rack (if a bathroom is in the room) to store and place your toiletries.

  

  Step 2. Maintain the condition of your hair

  As a general rule, any product or appliance you use at home should be brought to the boarding house. But if the item you are using belongs to a parent or sibling, it means you have to buy a new one.

  • Purchase hair dryers, straighteners, hair brushes, combs, and curlers according to your needs.
  • Also buy razors and shaving cream for fine hair on the body or face.

  

  Step 3. Take care of your physical appearance

  Same with hair products, facial care products that you use at home should also be brought or bought new.

  • Protect your face with moisturizers and sun creams.
  • Keep your teeth clean by brushing your teeth using a toothbrush and toothpaste.
  • Buy lip balm.
  • Control your body odor with deodorants and perfumes.

  

  Step 4. Purchase a first aid kit

  First aid is a useful object for students. You can buy a first aid that is sold commercially or you can buy the contents one by one separately. Some of the medications and items you will need include:

  • Alcohol for wounds.
  • Antibacterial cream
  • Wound plaster
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Thermometer

  

  Step 5. Provide medicines and vitamins

  Apart from setting up a first aid kit, there are a few other things you need to have on hand just in case you're sick or not feeling well. These items include:

  • Generic medicine for headache, fever, flu/cold, and allergies.
  • Prescription drugs.
  • Cough medicine.
  • Eye drops.
  • Multivitamin C if necessary.

  Part 5 of 7: Cleaning Tools

  

  Step 1. Know what you need to clean

  Usually, you just need to clean your own room. But sometimes, you may share responsibility with the hallways, bathrooms, and kitchens, which means you have to buy cleaning supplies for all those areas.

  

  Step 2. Make sure you can clean the floor

  You must have a vacuum cleaner, broom and mop in your room.

  Buy a small vacuum cleaner, especially if you are in a small room like a boarding house

  

  Step 3. Buy laundry equipment

  Some boarding houses provide free laundry services. But some don't, and sometimes you need to wash and dry your dirty clothes right away. Therefore, buy detergent and a dirty clothes basket.

  • Purchase a collapsible laundry basket to save space.
  • Buy a fabric softener, either in liquid or powder form.

  

  Step 4. Prevent the emergence of germs in the room

  Regardless of how often you need to clean your room, disinfectant is a useful item for your room. Disinfectants can help you reduce the spread of germs which is of course important for small rooms like boarding rooms.

  Also buy dish soap and a clean washcloth to clean dishes and other items

  Part 6 of 7: Entertainment

  

  Step 1. Prepare some movies and music

  No matter how hard you study, it's also necessary to take an occasional break to unwind. This break is what makes you need to provide CDs, DVDs, or even Blu-rays that you can enjoy in your spare time and relax.

  • But you don't need to buy expensive sound equipment, because you'll get in trouble if you're too noisy in your room and annoy your neighbors. Don't get reported and eventually kicked out.
  • Also buy a small TV to watch the shows you like.

  

  Step 2. Buy good headphones or earphones

  You may like listening to music, but that doesn't mean your neighbors like the music or the songs you hear. That's why you need to buy headphones or earphones. If you don't have it, buy it.

  If you buy headphones that block outside noise, you can also block out the noise your neighbors make

  

  Step 3. Bring a book you like

  If you like reading, buy some books that you will definitely read. This will maintain your reading hobby that can be lost due to boredom looking at printed books.

  

  Step 4. Purchase items for play and sport

  Indoor and outdoor games can help you relieve stress and make new friends. So if you don't have a game you can take to your boarding house, buy one or two now.

  • Board and card games can also be great inexpensive options. You can bring a game console with you, but be prepared to take the risk, as it can be stolen if you don't take good care of your room.
  • Also buy outdoor items like roller skates, frisbees, and basketballs.

  Part 7 of 7: Cooking and Eating Tools

  

  Step 1. Know what you need and can take with you

  Some boarding houses provide a kitchen or even provide some kitchen furniture that can be used as long as it is cleaned again. But there are also those who do not have a kitchen, or prohibit the use of this furniture. Find out if you really need to and are allowed to buy or bring kitchen furniture. Some practical tools that you can buy include

  • Coffee maker
  • Blender
  • Microwave
  • Small fridge

  

  Step 2. Buy containers to store food

  Containers and plastic bags that can be sealed or closed are an important difference because they allow you to store leftovers or make your groceries last longer.

  If you use the microwave a lot, make sure all your plastic containers are heat-resistant

  

  Step 3. Prepare the basic cutlery

  Spoons and forks are the most basic cutlery that you should have in your boarding room.

  • You might also consider buying a can opener, funnel, and small cooking utensils such as a knife and grater.
  • If necessary, also provide other cooking utensils such as pots and pans.

  

  Step 4. Purchase additional cutlery

  You may also need plates, bowls, cups, and glasses in your room.

  Again, if you use the microwave a lot, make sure the entire cutlery is heat resistant

  Tips

  Save money by shopping smartly. Take advantage of all the "back-to-school" promos that big stores have to offer, and shop at thrift stores for items at much lower prices