I've always been a lover of school supplies. I loved getting new pencils and pens and binders and a new backpack at the beginning of the school year. Being an adult college student hasn't changed that. What I am finding, though, is that over the years I have found some tried and true supplies that I love. These are the supplies that I always come back to after trying the newest fad and finding it not to my satisfaction...
My husband bought this bag for me from amazon.com last year for Christmas.
It all started when my husband decided he wanted a messenger bag to carry his laptop in. I spent days searching amazon.com for just the right bag. I kept coming back to this bag, and attempted to convince my husband that this was the bag he wanted. He didn't agree and I ended up buying a different bag for him, but was sad that this perfect bag would not be coming to my house. I know my husband, and he never sticks with anything for very long. I had figured that if I could get him to want this bag I could use it once he was on to something new. Instead he bought me the bag as a surprise.
I love this bag. It does everything I need my bag to do with style. The craftsmanship is fantastic, it still looks new after a year of abuse. On the inside there is a laptop compartment lined with corduroy fabric and great padding. I don't have to worry that my laptop is going to be abused while in my bag. There is also just the right amount of organizing pockets on the inside. Two pen holders and 3 larger pockets that fit my graphing calculator perfectly! Under the front flap are two zippered compartments. I find them to be the perfect size to toss in a book, or a can of pop and snack, or my day planner! They seem to be slightly padded also, and this works well when I have a can of pop of yogurt... my snack is still cold when I'm ready to eat! Next, the outside of the flap; there are 3 pockets, one with a grommet that allows you to put your MP3 player inside and have your earbuds threaded out the grommet. This zippered pocket often has my wallet and keys for quick, but protected, access. On the sides of the bag are 2 pockets. One has a gusset and is designed to carry your water bottle. The other does not have a gusset, but smaller water bottles would be fine. On the back of the bag is one last zippered pocket, perfect for a folder or some papers. There is also ample padding on the back of the bag so you aren't beating yourself up with your heavy bag on your way to class.
I see this bag taking me through nursing school and well beyond, I have no disappointments what so ever.
So now you've gotten to class and it's time to take notes. I have one preferred pen, and one mechanical pencil.
I'm sure everyone has seen the RSVP pens. I've used them since high school. It never fails that I am in some store and see a new pen that promises to be everything you've ever dreamed about in a pen. I buy the new shiny pen, take it home and decide this new pen was not worth the money I paid for it. And then I'm very happy that I have my trusty RSVP pens waiting for me. I find the ink quality to be great, not skipping and refusing to wright every other letter but not flooding the paper and leaving streaks. I'm left handed, so I have trouble with pens smearing onto my hand and then smudging across my paper. These come in colors also, which I really loved in Chemistry. My instructor would color code our chemical equations and I would copy it down in full color. They are cheap too... bonus!
These pencils have saved my hands. Having an autoimmune disease, the joints in my fingers can become swollen and painful. This pencil is the right mix of not too heavy, nice wide barrel and comfortable cushion grip. The thing that seals the deal for me is the metal tip on this pencil. I had another pencil that I was quite fond of, however by the end of one quarter I had broken the plastic tips on two. I have had the same sumo grip pencil for over a year now, and no breaking! I have purchased two more to carry in my bag in case the unthinkable happens and I lose one somewhere, or the manufacturer decides not to sell these wonderful things anymore. Also, they come in three different lead sizes; 0.9, 0.7 and 0.5. I like to use 0.5 lead as I like the small precise line I get. Others prefer the silkier line of the 0.9, everyone loves this pencil after they pick it up.
One more and then I'll let your eyes (and credit card!) rest.
I see I've already lost most of you, but wait! I too am a coffee snob. I live in Washington, love of coffee is a requirement. My husband and I have gone through not a small number of coffee pots in search of the perfect one. For us, for everyday coffee, this is it.
I can't say a lot about the K-cups that come all ready to be tossed in this machine and made into coffee, we use the filter that came with, and freshly grind our own beans. But, the convenience of this little machine means that I never have to whine about the coffee being 'old' and 'yucky!' which was anytime the coffee had sat more than 30 minutes. The tricks to great coffee (beyond working as a barista and knowing what it takes to make good coffee) is good beans, freshly ground, served and drank immediately. No really, it's imperative.
The younger members of the family also love this machine. Since the water reservoir is keeps the water ready all the time, there is much more cocoa and tea for them.
The one downside we have found is that since coffee is always an option, we find ourselves drinking considerably more coffee than before.
If anyone is still reading... I need suggestions for the perfect highlighter. I hate highlighters that smear the ink all over your page. Anyone?
My husband bought this bag for me from amazon.com last year for Christmas.
It all started when my husband decided he wanted a messenger bag to carry his laptop in. I spent days searching amazon.com for just the right bag. I kept coming back to this bag, and attempted to convince my husband that this was the bag he wanted. He didn't agree and I ended up buying a different bag for him, but was sad that this perfect bag would not be coming to my house. I know my husband, and he never sticks with anything for very long. I had figured that if I could get him to want this bag I could use it once he was on to something new. Instead he bought me the bag as a surprise.
I love this bag. It does everything I need my bag to do with style. The craftsmanship is fantastic, it still looks new after a year of abuse. On the inside there is a laptop compartment lined with corduroy fabric and great padding. I don't have to worry that my laptop is going to be abused while in my bag. There is also just the right amount of organizing pockets on the inside. Two pen holders and 3 larger pockets that fit my graphing calculator perfectly! Under the front flap are two zippered compartments. I find them to be the perfect size to toss in a book, or a can of pop and snack, or my day planner! They seem to be slightly padded also, and this works well when I have a can of pop of yogurt... my snack is still cold when I'm ready to eat! Next, the outside of the flap; there are 3 pockets, one with a grommet that allows you to put your MP3 player inside and have your earbuds threaded out the grommet. This zippered pocket often has my wallet and keys for quick, but protected, access. On the sides of the bag are 2 pockets. One has a gusset and is designed to carry your water bottle. The other does not have a gusset, but smaller water bottles would be fine. On the back of the bag is one last zippered pocket, perfect for a folder or some papers. There is also ample padding on the back of the bag so you aren't beating yourself up with your heavy bag on your way to class.
I see this bag taking me through nursing school and well beyond, I have no disappointments what so ever.
So now you've gotten to class and it's time to take notes. I have one preferred pen, and one mechanical pencil.
I'm sure everyone has seen the RSVP pens. I've used them since high school. It never fails that I am in some store and see a new pen that promises to be everything you've ever dreamed about in a pen. I buy the new shiny pen, take it home and decide this new pen was not worth the money I paid for it. And then I'm very happy that I have my trusty RSVP pens waiting for me. I find the ink quality to be great, not skipping and refusing to wright every other letter but not flooding the paper and leaving streaks. I'm left handed, so I have trouble with pens smearing onto my hand and then smudging across my paper. These come in colors also, which I really loved in Chemistry. My instructor would color code our chemical equations and I would copy it down in full color. They are cheap too... bonus!
These pencils have saved my hands. Having an autoimmune disease, the joints in my fingers can become swollen and painful. This pencil is the right mix of not too heavy, nice wide barrel and comfortable cushion grip. The thing that seals the deal for me is the metal tip on this pencil. I had another pencil that I was quite fond of, however by the end of one quarter I had broken the plastic tips on two. I have had the same sumo grip pencil for over a year now, and no breaking! I have purchased two more to carry in my bag in case the unthinkable happens and I lose one somewhere, or the manufacturer decides not to sell these wonderful things anymore. Also, they come in three different lead sizes; 0.9, 0.7 and 0.5. I like to use 0.5 lead as I like the small precise line I get. Others prefer the silkier line of the 0.9, everyone loves this pencil after they pick it up.
One more and then I'll let your eyes (and credit card!) rest.
I see I've already lost most of you, but wait! I too am a coffee snob. I live in Washington, love of coffee is a requirement. My husband and I have gone through not a small number of coffee pots in search of the perfect one. For us, for everyday coffee, this is it.
I can't say a lot about the K-cups that come all ready to be tossed in this machine and made into coffee, we use the filter that came with, and freshly grind our own beans. But, the convenience of this little machine means that I never have to whine about the coffee being 'old' and 'yucky!' which was anytime the coffee had sat more than 30 minutes. The tricks to great coffee (beyond working as a barista and knowing what it takes to make good coffee) is good beans, freshly ground, served and drank immediately. No really, it's imperative.
The younger members of the family also love this machine. Since the water reservoir is keeps the water ready all the time, there is much more cocoa and tea for them.
The one downside we have found is that since coffee is always an option, we find ourselves drinking considerably more coffee than before.
If anyone is still reading... I need suggestions for the perfect highlighter. I hate highlighters that smear the ink all over your page. Anyone?
I thought about buying that little coffee machine.