Category: College Life

By: Sabian Murry

If you’re anything like I was, you’ve been spending months sifting through Tiktok videos, Pinterest lists, and internet blog posts about what you need when you go to college. I’ve always believed experience is the best teacher, so as a first year college student, here are the most important things I think you’ll need when coming to college. 

 

1. Laptop or iPad

This has to be number one on my list because it’s an essential for a college student. Most, if not all, assignments are online, so a good, reliable computer is necessary for a smooth transition to college. It doesn’t have to be any specific brand, but Apple products are usually favored due to their shared content ability. Personally, I have a Dell and it gets the job done just fine!

If you’re more inclined to iPads, I would suggest investing in an Apple Pencil. This will greatly assist in note taking, signing online documents, and completing math assignments. In addition, I would purchase a wireless keyboard case so you’re able to easily type on your iPad. 

2. Air freshener

Often overlooked, air freshener is a necessary investment in college. Plug in air fresheners aren’t allowed at some colleges, and it can get stuffy in your room. A good can of air freshener will last you a long time and do wonders for the cleanliness of your room. It also comes in handy if you have a private bathroom and it lacks a vent. 

3. Surge protector/Power strip

There are a limited amount of outlets in your room and an abundance of things to plug up. Surge protectors will give you the ability to plug in all your devices so you don’t have to give up your phone charging to charge your computer before class!

4. Snuggle/Robe

Robes are important when living in a dorm! Whether your bathroom is in your room or is communal, you will need a robe. Although my bathroom is in my room, the laundry room is in the basement, and I don’t want to have to put on an entire outfit to do my laundry. I throw on my Snuggle (which is even better than a robe), and I’m completely covered whenever I’m roaming the halls. 

5. Water bottle

It doesn’t have to be a Stanley, but a water bottle is needed (preferably a cute one). Having to buy bottles of water is a costly expense, but if you have a water bottle, there will be water fountains to constantly fill your water bottle for free!

6. School supplies

Often, I’ve heard college students say that they forgot to bring school supplies to school, and that’s understandable seeing that most work is done online. There will be times when paper and pen are needed in college, so don’t forget these basic school supplies! Sticky notes is also something I would invest in because there will be a lot of reading and they will come in handy for annotation. 

7. Chair cushion

In your room, most colleges provide a desk and chair, but what they forget is a chair cushion. You will spend a lot of time studying, and if you’re planning on doing it in your room, a chair cushion is highly encouraged. 

8. Multiple phone chargers

This one may be self-explanatory, but get multiple phone chargers with multiple different outlet options. Not every building will have a USB-C and not all will have the standard USB, so get a few cheap options that you can carry around with you while studying around campus. 

9. Portable laundry bag

This is a great investment for college! With this laundry bag, you’re able to transport not only your clothes, but also your detergent, bleach, and dryer sheets. 

10. Rug

An overlooked luxury while in college is the ability to come into your room and rub your feet on a soft rug after a long day of learning. It’s cleaner than your bare floor, and it’s a good place to lie when you don’t want to dirty your bed up before a shower.

Check out our “Day in the Life” series:

• Day in the Life of a Student Athlete
• Day in the Life of a UChicago Student

By: Sabian Murry

Imposter syndrome: the persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills. 

Going away to college can be a challenge in many different aspects. Socially, you’re tasked with making new friends. Academically, you’re pressured to make the best grades. Physically, you’re expected to prevent a certain “freshman 15”. Something that is not discussed widely enough are the feelings of inadequacy that many college students begin to feel once they arrive on campus. 

Coming to a college campus can be intimidating, recognizing that there are so many different people who seem to have accomplished and explored so much more than you have. Experiencing imposter syndrome can be difficult, but there are ways to overcome the falsities that your mind conjures up, and quickly begin to enjoy your new college life!

 

1. Recognize your value: Admission officers don’t just choose random students to attend their university. There are countless hours that go into the admissions process, and after multiple admissions officers and a very large stack of applications, you were chosen! Despite what others have done, there are qualities and values that you bring to the campus that no one else does. You were meant to be chosen, and you are meant to be amongst the crowd of extremely intelligent and impactful individuals that you are.
2. Understand you’re not alone: Being unsure of your success and skills is not something that you’re going through alone. There have been a countless number of times that I have experienced imposter syndrome, and at times when I feel the most down, I find it helpful to talk to my peers and classmates. More often than not, there is at least one other person who feels the same way, and finding someone to express your feelings to is a healthy way to both get and provide support.
3. Reach out for help: There are places and people that you can go to if you cannot shake this feeling. If you’re on campus at UChicago, academic advisors and the Student Wellness Center are great resources to work through some of these feelings. Having a quick chat with your academic advisors about how you place among the other students is a great way to get some reassurance on your admission and abilities. If you need more than a conversation, the Wellness Center would be a great resource to utilize. Additionally, finding someone to talk to like a supportive family member, close friend, advisor, or even a college therapist could greatly impact your negative feelings.

 

Imposter syndrome is not uncommon. It’s normal to get this feeling sometimes, but it’s also important to escape from this feeling with confidence in yourself, your abilities, and your worth to your college, those around you, and yourself! You’ve got this!

The Importance of Office Hours

At some point or another, all students have been in a position where they go to class, and despite doing the readings and homework assignments, still feel completely clueless about the content gone over during class. Students in this position could choose to try and figure it out on their own, or they could take advantage of a resource that every student should have access to: office hours. 

What are office hours?

Office hours are the times that your professors and teaching assistants set aside during the week when students can come in to ask questions about content that they need help with. Oftentimes, professors and students are actually REQUIRED to hold office hours, which shows how important the university you attend finds students getting help outside of class!

What are the benefits of office hours?

Office hours have saved many grades in the past. A lot of students go into college with the mentality that they can handle doing the workload completely on their own and that they do not need help. While it is a good idea to try and figure out everything you can on your own in a class, there is absolutely no shame in asking for help. Remember, it is the job of your professors and TAs to help you get through your courses, so students should take advantage of this resource! Sometimes, going to office hours can even help boost your grades. Sometimes, if you are on the cusp of a letter grade and are hoping for a grade boost, you can go to office hours to show your professor extra commitment to their class.

When would you need to go to office hours?

Most students choose to go to office hours when there is a topic in class that doesn’t make sense, there is a homework problem they cannot finish on their own, or they want advice or tips about how to study for an exam. Sometimes before exams, TAs or professors will hold exam review sessions during their office hours, so it is a great opportunity to ask last minute questions to ensure success on an exam.

Should I go to office hours even if I don’t have any questions?

Of course! Office hours are not only an opportunity to ask content questions, but they are also great places to listen to other people’s questions and learn more about the content that way. Also, if you are potentially interested in a professor’s career (maybe because you want to do research with them in the future), office hours are a great way to learn more about them and the kind of work they do. Part of college is building relationships with people who work in the field you want your career to be in, so office hours are a great opportunity to get to know some professionals and network.