As we come to the end of August, it is usually time for college campuses to begin to buzz anew with activity. Like everything else in 2020, the return to campus is not “business as usual.” For those that are packing up and heading to a college campus, there are a number of lists out there of the “essential” things one needs to take along with them.
Looking at these lists, like many things these days, makes me feel old. Ages ago when I headed off to college what I could take along was limited to what I could fit in a footlocker and a suitcase.
Some of these items, while perhaps essential today would not have done me much good way back when.
Enjoy!
A wallet that sticks to the back of your phone. – Not sure why I would have wanted to have my wallet stuck to the one phone that was on the wall down the hall.
An iPod, headphones and a blue tooth speaker. – Back in my day, I had a quadraphonic system with four wired speakers and a selection of vinyl albums.
A microwave that will make your favorite dishes – While one can run out today and buy a microwave for under $50, they were a lot more when I was younger. I was out of college and married for a couple of years before I could afford a microwave.
Laptop computer and printer. – As a high school graduation present, I received a great item that could do the tasks of both word processing and printing, it was called a typewriter.
32-Inch 1080p Smart LED TV – Survived my freshman year with no TV, sophomore year my roommate brought a 12-inch black & white TV.
A tablet/kindle for reading in your free time. – If, and that is a big if, I had free time and felt like reading, I could go to a place on campus that was called a library and read an item called a book, no batteries or charging were required.
A moleskin journal that you can use for handy notes, the article recommends one that can be purchased for $25.99. I guess I was not cool or fashionable with my $0.79 college ruled spiral notebooks.
Hydro-Flask Water Bottle for carrying water around. Back in my day, somehow, we could manage to make it through an hour without a glass of water. Then between classes one could stop by something called a water-fountain.
Small iron & ironing pad. I am pretty sure I survived my college years without ironing a single item
Cleaning supplies: Surface spray or wipes, laundry detergent, dish soap, aromatic room spray, stain remover, etc. – Because every college student is fastidiously clean, right?
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
No man should escape our universities without knowing how little he knows. ~J. Robert Oppenheimer
Leonard's Lines 