<p>I’m gonna be commuting to my college instead of dorming and I will be taking the train which is about a 30 minute ride. Anyway, a lot of people buy stuff for their dorms but since I am commuting I was wondering if there are any supplies that a commuting student should buy for college. Backpack with laptop case? Anything Special?</p>
<p>You may want a bigger and more comfortable bag than someone living on campus might want: you’ll be carrying everything you’re going to want to work on at school in the one bag. If you’re going to be taking a laptop with you, you should definitely have a sleeve for it, so you can put your bag on the seat next to you, on the floor, etc., and not worry.</p>
<p>You’re probably going to want a system of dealing with notes, etc., that allows you to take the minimum necessary if you’re going to be studying between classes. I generally have a manila folder for every project I’m working on – that may mean one for each class, or it may mean one for every class for daily notes, and then separate ones for long-term projects – and a couple of legal pads with me every day. Then I bring whatever books I need too, which can be a little or a lot depending. I can move class notes for one day into a file for all class notes at home, for example, and when I’m studying for the next test I can just bring the notes for the relevant days to study during breaks at school.</p>
<p>If you’re going to be working on the train, you’ll also want supplies to hold things together – where I use manila folders you may want 3-sided folders, or more traditional folders with pockets, you may want big rubber bands so that you don’t lose your place in a book you’re reading, you’ll definitely want paper clips if you’re working with multiple pages of notes, etc.</p>
<p>You may want to look into e-book reader, either for “goof-off” books (I find that I always need to have one going for when I need a break from school-related books) or for books in classes that don’t have textbooks. My roommate commutes about 30 minutes a day on a bus (she’s not going to school) and she finds the e-reader invaluable. If you are one of those people who can’t read on moving vehicles, I’d definitely invest in an MP3 player. You should either be working or relaxing on the train.</p>
<p>Does any of that help?</p>
<p>Everything helps haha. Thanks for the input, I am probably going to have to buy a new backpack since I have the same one since like 7th grade haha. Should I buy a laptop sleeve and a regular backpack or a laptop backpack? And I think I also get a locker at school if that would help out at all.</p>
<p>@ coyn3burglar</p>
<p>I would recommend a messenger bag with a thick, padded strap. I used it everywhere I went when I was in college.</p>
<p>Hello fellow commuter</p>
<p>This is what I need as a commuter</p>
<p>Duo-tangs: I rather use them then binders due to how heavy binders are…plus they are so much cheaper. If you really want to use a binder try one that is flexible so it can bend if necessary. </p>
<p>Backpacks: Go for something that has alot of support for the back because if the train get busy your stuck!</p>
<p>Locker: Get one if your school has them because then you can leave your books/lunch/gym clothes/etc in there so you don’t luge it around.</p>
<p>Water bottle: For the long bus ride home. Plus its cheaper to bring then buy.</p>
<p>MP3: Sorry unlike many other I can’t study on the bus. I have motion sickness. However I think its benefit me because I use the ride to mellow out and relax from the long day and then start studying again when I get home so its so much better for me.</p>