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The Top 20 Survival Essentials You Need For Starting College

College is back for another year and Goss.ie have all the essentials to get through the classes, parties and everything else that comes your way.

You’ve been ticking off your book list to make sure you have what you need – or maybe cheekily downloading a few free PDFs.

But don’t forget your other college essentials like a laptop, a notepad, a travel mug, and a selfie stick.

Check out our list for all the essentials right here:

 

1. Bag

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It would be pretty hard to survive college without a bag.

This black one from New Look is not only fab lookings but so practical with it’s many pockets and zips.

It even has side pockets for a water bottle!

Snag it from ASOS for €26.65.

2. Discount cards

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One of the best rewards about being a student is the discount you can get.

All over Ireland there are places that will give students a 10% or even a 20% discount when they show their college card.

Loads of restaurants also offer 2-for-1 meal deals.

Check out our top 20 places to use your student discount.

3. Purse

Seriously, how cute are these?! Fluffy purses only £4/€6 each ? #Primark #Primania #accessories

A photo posted by Primark (@primark) on

You’re going to need a good purse to survive being tossed around your college bag.

This one from Penneys is not only practical but very cute too and comes in three colours – black, grey and pink.

Pick it up from most stores nationwide for €6.

4. Lip Balm

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When you’re rushing around campus during the cold winter wind your lips will take a beating.

Save your lips before the Valentine’s Ball comes around and invest in some good lip balm.

This one from the Body Shop is perfect because it’s made with Shea butter which is very moisturising.

Buy it from the Body Shop for €6.50.

5. Diary

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There is so much going on in college from societies to parties to maybe even a few lectures, a diary is definitely needed.

A 17-month diary is the handiest because you’ll be able to start writing down all your plans for the next week even straight away.

My Shining Armour has a great selection available online but their ‘I Am Very Busy’ diary really shows the life of a college student.

Pick it up from their online store for €27.

6. Water Bottle

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Lecture halls and classrooms can be stuffy places especially when the heat is blaring.

Be sure to invest in a decent water bottle so you can refill from any of the water fountains around the campus.

Bobble’s water bottle is ideal as it has a filter feature as well – so you don’t need to worry about even the weirdest tasting water.

Buy it from Arnotts for €13.95.

7. Laptop

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Gone are the days when a pen and paper were all you needed in school.

Laptops are vital for writing essays, researching, and watching cat videos.

Head over to the Curry’s website or call in store to see what laptop suits you best.

 

8. Phone Charger Cable

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Be the hero at lunchtime who can charge everyone’s phones.

From all the selfies and checking google maps your phone battery will be gone before you’ve even gone to the student bar.

Pick up this multi-use phone charger cable from Dealz to save the hassle of looking around for one yourself.

Snag it from Dealz for just €1.50.

9. Power Bank

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So you have your cable but you can’t find a plug.

Investing in a power bank will be one of the best things you’ll learn at college.

This one from Claires has a cool design and will be the very thing that’ll help you Hailo a taxi after a long night in Coppers.

Buy it from Claires for €20.

10. Travel Cup

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Keeping yourself awake and fuelled in college can become an expensive habit.

Be cheeky with a few tea bags in your bag and invest in a travel mug to fill up with hot water.

This one from Urban Outfitters has a cozy around it to keep your hands from getting burnt and a cute lid to make sure your brew stays inside.

Pick it up from for £16 online.

11. Netflix

netflix

The long days at the library and in lectures can take it’s toll on you.

Be sure to give yourself some time to relax and do nothing by binging on some series.

Netflix has a HUGE amount of series to watch and also have produced award-winning shows.

Download Netflix and pay just €9.99 a month.

12. Keyring Torch

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A keyring in general is pretty handy because you’re going to have a bundle of keys when you’re in college – especially if you decide to join a society.

Be sure to get yourself a keyring torch to not only keep all your keys together but to help you find your door at 3am.

Buy this little torch from Halfords for €2.49.

13. Lavender Candle

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Netflix is now set up on your laptop and you want to set the perfect chill out mood.

Pick up a few candles to give your room a bit of ambiance and atmosphere.

Lavender scents are great because it will help you relax with it’s fresh scent.

Buy a pack of lavender Yankee tea lights from Debenhams for €10.

14. Headspace

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You have your candle lit, but it’s just not enough.

Head over to your app store and download Headspace.

The meditation app will be your saving grace around exam time.

You can pick long or short exercises to help you relax with it’s soothing music.

It’s available for free for Android and Apple phones.

15. Kindle

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Save your back and invest in a Kindle.

College students spends almost a thousand euro each year on books – some degrees even ask you to spend more.

Books on the Kindle are cheaper and some are even free.

Pick up one from Amazon for around €70 not including delivery fee.

16. Selfie Stick

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You will be able to pick up a selfie stick absolutely everywhere now.

People poked fun at them when they first came out but now almost everyone has one.

Selfie sticks are the best thing when you want to take a group photo before a girls night out or you want to video a gig when some tall lad is in your way.

Some of the best places to grab one are Penneys, Dealz, and Tesco.

17. A Cool Tumbler

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Stand out of the crowd with a really out there cup.

This disco ball tumbler is going to be the life of the party – you’re going to have to hold onto it tight!

It comes with a straw and has a handy screw top lid so your drink won’t spill out.

Snag it online from My Shining Armour for €23.

18. Post-Its

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One of a college student’s favourite past-time is highlighting their books – but don’t be tempted to do it.

College books are expensive and if you keep them totally clean you’ll be able to sell them on.

Get a few post-its and use them to make any notes to stick onto your book.

You can buy big or small ones all over Ireland but this little ones from Tiger are great for using as book marks and labelling important sentences.

Get them from Tiger for €1.

19. Notebook

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There is going to be a lot of learn in college so a notebook is vital.

Be sure to pick up a sturdy journal that you can keep your notes for the year in.

This one from Tiger is great because it has five sections for up to five subjects.

Pick it up for €3 from Tiger stores around Ireland.

20. Headphones

The library is obviously the best place for a study session but sometimes you want to listen to your tunes.

If you like bopping to One Direction while learning how many bones in the human body, a pair of headphones will be a life saver.

Penney’s have an array of colours available in their stores nationwide and they’re cheap as chips.

Pick a pair up for €6.

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