1. Create Account
  2. Login
StudyUSA
Match Me
  • Create Account
  • Login
  • School Search
  • Resources
    • All Resources
    • Articles
    • Student Voices
    • Videos
    • Magazines
    • Podcasts
  • Services
    • All Services
    • Accommodation
    • Support
    • Career
    • Financial
    • Testing
    • Other
  • Apply
  • Chat

Don’t Head To Campus Without These 16 Things

Don’t Head To Campus Without These 16 Things

Oct 1, 2019

If you’ve ever been stranded on campus without your wallet or an umbrella, you know how inconvenient that can be. You wake up in the morning thinking you don’t have a thing to worry about, when in reality, it’s going to pour down rain between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when classes are in full swing (and you have a pretty long walk).

To save yourself from embarrassment or from being uncomfortable, here are 16 things you should always have with you while on campus.

1. Chargers

Laptop. Phone. Tablet. Any charger you could possibly need should be with you on campus. Nothing is worse than walking into class feeling prepared and having a dead laptop. 

2. Spare outfit/Shoes

This might not seem that important until you have an important meeting and you’ve spilled coffee all down your shirt. Or until you step in a giant puddle and soak your shoes. You definitely want to save yourself from blisters and bleeding feet.

3. Day planner

How will you plan anything or keep track of assignments if you don’t have your day planner (or agenda) with you? Make sure you have your planner before you leave your house or dorm room.

4. An extra set of pens

Taking notes with a pen that’s low on ink is the worst. If you’re like me, you have a favorite pen. I always keep a spare in the zipper of my purse. Of course, I have a million other pens I could use. But if I’m really needing to feel fancy and write something important, I want to make sure I have the right pen to do so.

5. Deodorant

Keeping extra deodorant in your bag will be your saving grace — especially in the summer or if you go to school in a warm climate.

6. Gum/Floss/Travel toothbrush

You don’t want to walk around all day with your breath smelling like your first cup of coffee in the morning or with your lunch stuck in your teeth. If you keep some oral health essentials with you at all times, you’ll be a lot more confident in your smile.

7. Snack(s)

If you’re someone who needs something to eat every few hours, take a snack with you to campus! It’ll be easier to appease a grumbling tummy with a pack of crackers or an apple from your bag than to track down a snack-filled vending machine.

8. Headphones

When you’re trying to have a really good study session but that girl behind you won’t stop giggling, you’re going to wish you had some headphones to drown her out. Your walks to class will be more enjoyable as well.

9. Wallet (including your student ID)

You never know when you’re going to need your wallet for some reason on campus. I always have mine with me in case I need to walk off campus for food. It’s also important that I have my student ID in case I need to check something out from the library or use the printer.

10. Spare notebook/paper

I always have an extra notebook and paper with me. If I ever need to leave someone a note or write down something important, I’ve got it covered.

11. Water bottle

When you hike up that hill, you’re going to wish you had something to swig. You’ll appreciate having a water bottle with you at least once a day. Just make sure you wash it out every now and then.

12. Hand sanitizer

Walking around campus means opening doors, grabbing handrails and touching other people … Ick! You never want to sit down to eat something (even a snack) without squirting some hand sanitizer on your palms beforehand. Channel your “inner mom” and pull out the sanitizing wet-wipes to wipe down your table as well. It’s always flu season on campus!

13. Sticky notes

In case you need to remember something really important, carry some sticky notes around for quick reminders. I do this all the time. If my day planner has a sticky note on top, I’m sure to pay attention to it.

14. Hat/Hair accessories

When I used to have long hair, I always made sure I had a hair band on my wrist or a hat for hot days. 

15. Ibuprofen

I’m not suggesting you carry around a large bottle of medicine, but having some emergency headache pills will keep you from skipping class on those days when there’s an annoying pounding in your head.

16. An umbrella (even if it isn’t supposed to rain)

You can’t always trust the forecast. I’ve been caught on campus in a rainstorm MULTIPLE times without an umbrella.

Follow us:
Written by

Lorena Roberts

Get matched to the best program for you

Let us know what you're looking for so we can find the best school for you.

Get matched
Call to action background image. Decorative.

Useful Articles

Main image for the article titled Escaping 1975 Vietnam: Finding a Place to Belong
Escaping 1975 Vietnam: Finding a Place to Belong
Main image for the article titled How Do I Get a Physical Therapy Degree in the USA?
How Do I Get a Physical Therapy Degree in the USA?
Main image for the article titled How Do I Get a Design Degree in the USA?
How Do I Get a Design Degree in the USA?
Main image for the article titled Chico State Helps Rebuild Communities
Chico State Helps Rebuild Communities
Read more

Check Out These Schools

Saint Charles Community College

Saint Charles Community College

$5,000—$10,000 Year

English Programs 2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs Certificate/Short Term
Contact
Green River College

Green River College

$1,000—$5,000 Quarter

2yr/Community College - 2+2 Programs Summer Bachelor Degree
Contact
St. Ambrose University

St. Ambrose University

$40,000—$45,000 Year

Bachelor Degree Certificate/Short Term Masters
Contact

Featured Programs

Shoreline Community College

Typical cost per Quarter: $1,000—$5,000

Bachelor Degree Secondary/Boarding Certificate/Short Term
Learn More

Appalachian State University

Typical cost per Year: $35,000—$40,000

Bachelor Degree Masters Summer
Learn More

Arizona State University-Global Launch Intensive English Program

Typical cost per Session: $1,000—$5,000

Certificate/Short Term Summer English Programs
Learn More

Related Stories

What are the differences between Undergraduate and Graduate programs?

Main image for the article titled What are the differences between Undergraduate and Graduate programs?
What is the Difference Between OPT and CPT?

Main image for the article titled What is the Difference Between OPT and CPT?
What is the Difference between a Public and Private University?

Main image for the article titled What is the Difference between a Public and Private University?
What is the Difference Between Quarters, Semesters, and Trimesters?

Main image for the article titled What is the Difference Between Quarters, Semesters, and Trimesters?

Start your U.S. adventure with Study in the USA

What's your dream? We can guide, advise, and connect you with your perfect U.S. school. We can also help you with the application process.
More about us
Partner Services

Learn About U.S. education financing, housing, and more

Partner service logo for Student Advantage

Student Advantage

Explore the American Dream with the ‘My Deals’ app from Student Advantage - save on car rentals, hotel rooms, and everyday essentials!

Read more
Partner service logo for There’s a business school for everyone. Meet yours at a free upcoming event!

There’s a business school for everyone. Meet yours at a free upcoming...

Ready to make your MBA dreams a reality? Register now for a virtual or in-person event with The MBA Tour! Don’t miss your chance to speak directly with leading business schools, such as Harvard University, Boston University, Columbia University, UC...

Read more
Partner service logo for A world of greater possibility.

A world of greater possibility.

Follow your dreams with the TOEFL iBT® test, which has helped millions of students study abroad.

Read more

Testimonials

Quotation mark.

I found a lot of useful articles on StudyUSA.com, especially under the Student Voices section. I have been recommending the website to my friends back at my home country who are interested in coming to America to study.

Mike Dai China

I have had the opportunity to peruse the Study in the USA website. As a result, I can attest to it as a very useful resource. The MatchMe tool that helps match students with programs in the USA fascinates me the most.

Clement Okolo Nigeria

I hadn't used Study in the USA before but I'm grateful that I now know a good source for my student life here. I hope there are more scholarships and opportunities for international students like this.

Xuan Phan Vietnam

Resources

Learn about American culture and education direct from our experts at Study in the USA. Read more

Achieving Your Goal
Admissions and Placement Testing
Beyond the Basics
Education System in the USA
Financing Your U.S. Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Life in the USA
Resources
Student Experiences
For students age 10-18
Study in Canada
Podcasts
Magazines
Videos
Student Voices
Ask StudyUSA.com

Subscribe to get the latest from Study in the USA

You can unsubscribe at any time.


StudyUSA
Explore

  • School Search
  • Resources
  •   Articles
  •   Student Voices
  •   Videos
  •   Magazines
  • Partner Services
  •   Accommodation
  •   Career
  •   Financial
  •   Other
  •   Support
  •   Testing
  • Apply
  • Chat
Information

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Course Index
  • Article Index
  • Create account
  • Sign in
  • For Educators & Institutions
Match Me
  • English
    العربيـة English Español Français Bahasa Indonesia 日本語 한국어 Português Русский ภาษาไทย Türkçe Tiếng Việt 简体中文 繁體中文

  • Privacy & Policy
  • /
  • Terms

Study in the USA logo

© 2023 Study in the USA. All Rights Reserved.

Global Study logo
A member of the Global Study network

When you visit or interact with our sites, services or tools, we or our authorised service providers may use cookies for storing information to help provide you with a better, faster and safer experience and for marketing purposes.