Thread: Getting Ready for school

Well folks with my senior year of high school fast coming to a close I've begun gathering things for college next year. Of course there are your basic sheets, toothbrush, jeans, and such but I thought with such a experienced group of people at my finger tips I'd get your thoughts on some things. If you have any tips on a anything Ive mentioned or forgotten just yell. Thanks y'all.

Item------------------ Budget in USD -----------Proposed buy/Notes

Laptop -------------- 1500----------------------- Macbook Pro 15"
Second watch------- 300 ----------------------- Christopher Ward C15 with Black face
Good Dress shoes--- 200-250 Max------------- Charles Tyrwhitt Black label black frazer oxford
Second Razor-------- 100------------------------- Still looking. Would like another spike or a french or Spanish tip
French press--------- 50-------------------------- Only needs to make 3-4 cups tops so not huge.
Knife ----------------- 70 ------------------------- Short synthetic grip Ka-Bar

You need a laptop and no books? I never owned a 2nd watch when in school. I did not have dress shoes till university. And all the knives I owned were given to me!

Times really have changed since I went to school!

I won't know exactly what books until end of june. I need a secound watch because NROTC won't allow me to wear the watch I have. And I need dress shoes because I have to wear them in uniform and I'll probably try and get a job at a menswear store or the like. I have no living grandparents I see aunts/uncles once every 2-3 years and parents are pretty well broke before we even think about tuition.

For the shoes, look vintage. Look on ebay. If all else fails, get something just to get you through. And $100 is a LOT for a second razor, IMO.

Definitely make sure you'll have money for books, because they are EXPENSIVE. And set aside some spending money. Even with a meal plan and funny money for the campus shops, you'll still be doing a little extracurricular spending. Aside from that, keep it minimal and stay out of debt.

FWIW, I finished undergrad in 2008 and grad a year later. Still no steady job.

First and formost I wish you luck finding a steady job you like. As for the razor I figgured it would be but I prefer to over estimate costs and buy when I've hit the estimate. Then I end up with a head start toward next goal. Thanks for the advice.

Meh, I get by without a job. That was more a point that it's good to think for the future.

Yea I'm hoping to earn a commission in the US Marine Corps.

I have two pairs of Bass dress shoes, one black and one brown and I probably didn't pay as much for both as you're willing to pay for one pair and they look fine to me. As for the watch, buy a nice Fossil watch on ebay and save even more money. Expensive things have a way of going missing on a college campus.

Go to the Bodum website for a French press. I have the 4 cup Chambord. I think with shipping I paid under $50. They have some that are made to withstand a fall, so you should probably go that route.

Good luck in school.

John

+1 to the Bass shoes. They're worth a trip to the outlets. I found some two years ago. Got a pair of brown and black for under a hundy and they get worn 5-6 days a week. Comfy as all get out, too.
Get a Timex. Under 30 bucks and you won't cry when it gets yoinked or you lose it. Splurge the 50 to 60 for a Casio if you have to spend $$.

You'll need money for books and the like. I graduated in 2003 and was an art and communications major and spent at least $300 per semester on books and as much again on art supplies. Unless your major requires it, skip the Mac. I do heavy photoshop work on an HP that cost under 1k. Add on my terrabyte HDD and 20" monitor and I came in under 1500. Mac is pretty but it has too much pretense when you're on a tight budget. I just bought new front loading washer and dryer for less than that...
French press: Target sells Chambord presses of the size you're looking for from 35-50.
Maybe for your 2nd razor go for a DE or a Dovo Shavette. No stropping, easy to use, and relatively inexpensive. Again, things happen on campus and you don't get much free time if you have a lot of extracurriculars, a job, lab classes, etc.
I think I have more free time now with two kids and two jobs than I did in college.

as for the dress shoes, if your going to be wearing them only with your uniform, i would recomend, and this is coming from a former sailor, get the corifram shoes, they will alway have a shine, and save you alot of headache, and time also. you will have to keep whatever shoes you purchase for your dress uniform spit polished otherwise, coriframs just make it easier, and less time consuming.