Do you enter the university?We made your list of supplies for the start of the school year

College is starting for you and it stresses you out not knowing if you need eight different sorters or just a four-color pen? Don't panic, Madmoizelle is here!

August 26, 2019

You are preparing to enter university. Your requests on ParcourSup have been made, you have inquired about CROUS scholarships, you may even have found accommodation in your new university town.

That's when your mind, that troll, reminds you that back to school is fast approaching, and you have no idea what supplies to bring with you for the first few days of class.

Don't panic: been there, done that, here are the essentials for a good start to the new academic year, which will help you out until you have built your own list of supplies corresponding to your course and your establishment!

Which computer for going back to university?

First question to ask yourself: are you more of a computer team at college, or intensive paper scraping?

The computer for university studies is still somewhat controversial. Teachers know that it is becoming essential in amphitheaters, but are divided on its interest: is it more effective, or does it distract?

While waiting for them to decide (which can take time), I simply advise you, if you are a computer team, not to forget your charger and to have a plan B in case of battery failure: amphitheatres are not all filled with electrical outlets, which are therefore often taken by storm by the first to arrive.

If your autonomy is not optimal, you may find yourself recharging your computer during each inter-class, and lowering the brightness and the number of active applications each minute to last until the end of the lecture .

Also remember to synchronize your lessons on a Cloud and/or an external hard drive, so as not to risk losing your precious notes because of a stupid bug or a wrong manipulation.

Finally, even in the era of the Cloud and dematerialized shipments, you can carry a USB key in your kit, very practical for transmitting documents, and which helps more often than you think!

Student prices on MacBooks, for a very nice back-to-school gift

If you have the means (because even after reduction it's still a sum), you can take advantage of Apple's promotions to students, who still save around €100 on the price of a new MacBook.

Also note that you will receive AirPods as a gift!

MacBook Air, from €1061 for students (compared to €1129)

The Dell Inspiron laptop, perfect for college

Don't worry if you've given up on the idea of ​​putting a minimum wage in a computer: there's no not that Apple in life. This Dell Inspiron model offers great value for money, and costs half the price!

Dell Inspiron 15 inches, 449€

Which pens for going back to university?

Let's talk about your pencil case. No need to provide a myriad of tools, unless it's your favorite — or essential for your field of study! In addition to this USB key (useful even if you come without a computer, by the way), you just need to take your basics: a pen, a pencil, a highlighter and banco.

It's the bare minimum: if you only write with a pen, if you don't go anywhere without your eraser, if you need blanco, a criterium and 18 different colors, adapt !

Pack of 20 ballpoint pens in assorted colors, €7.92

What agenda for going back to university?

Regarding what is an agenda, it all depends on your own organization. It is risky to trust your memory, even if it is worthy of an elephant: there is often a lot of information to store, especially at the beginning!

Concerning "homework", they will more and more often be files to be returned, with complex titles and issues that are therefore difficult to memorize.

A week planner may be suitable, especially since it allows you to note classes and appointments. Particularly useful if you take a student job and/or join an associative network.

In addition, some universities provide them at the start of the school year. So wait maybe the first day before getting one, especially if you are close to your pennies!

Weekly planner (9 models available), €7

Otherwise, there is the “classic agenda like in high school” option, or the digital version, via a Google Calendar or a dedicated application.

It's up to you to experiment and see what works best. Remembering that from one year to the next, your needs and therefore your favorite tools can change!

What notebooks, sorters, workbooks for going back to university?

Regarding your grades, you organize yourself as you want at university! Some remain in large square 24×32 cm notebooks, others are in loose-leaf mode… it will depend a lot on your course types and your way of working.

But that doesn't mean there isn't advice for you.

Binder, sorter, pocket: how to store your notes at university?

It's almost inevitable: you will need something to store and sort your notes. It's up to you to choose which solution suits you.

Personally, I have organized myself over time in different ways.

I started by writing on white printer sheets, storing my lessons in a sorter, then in a binder. Then, I used cardboard folders, one per class: this is the organization that I preferred. It was tidy, without having to put everything back in a plastic bag or punch holes every time! And it saved me from having to take all my classes everywhere.

Pack of 6 colored A4 pockets, €10.32

Potentially, provide plastic bags to collect the sheets of the same course and protect them before storing them for good. It also protects them from the rain, practical for the fall weather! (Yes, it's experience, the notes of TP that take the fleet ...)

Which sheets to use at university?

In my opinion, the pads of detachable sheets are the most practical for organizing and offer a support allowing you to write even on the fly (in case overcrowded auditorium for example, or taking notes standing up).

But it's even better to find what is most pleasant and practical for you, both for writing and for revising! If you like the simplicity of white printer sheets, that's great, if you prefer color, indulge yourself, and if big-checked double copies are a must for you, keep buying some.

If you take all your notes by hand, plan on plenty of paper: you will probably have many long courses with dense content.

Finally, if you are a fan of revision sheets, you can build up a small stock of index cards (or equivalent), which are always welcome.

Patterned notepad, €9

Which smartphone for going back to university?

At university as elsewhere, the smartphone can be a source of distraction but also a great tool for studying! It allows, in bulk, to search dictionaries (language studies represents), to reserve books at the university library, to visualize a somewhat abstract concept...

You can also take pictures of things you don't have time to write down, such as panels full of information or long bibliographies.

The Google Pixel 4a, which takes crazy quality shots, seamlessly integrates Google tools (including the essential Google Docs) and does not have to be ashamed of its autonomy, is recommended by our colleagues at Numerama .

Google Pixel 4a 128Gb, ​​418€

Other supplies for going back to university

The list above is not exhaustive, and is of course adaptable. These are simply a few essentials to go to class more serenely.

If you're the far-sighted type (like me), you can add:

And let's not forget the comfort: a water bottle and/or a thermos to sip hot tea or coffee in winter, it saves a day of soporific lectures!

Insulated water bottle, from €12.95

The bottom line is that there is no wrong method. There are simply some that will suit you more or less, and that will probably change depending on the weather and your classes!

So feel free to experiment until you find what works best for you. And if you have tips or other essentials, come and indicate them in the comments, it will allow the following to equip themselves as well as possible!

Also read: Finally some REAL advice from REAL students for back to university

Photo credit: Erge Mahindra / Unsplash