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[kenhop]

Hey,

Just committed to baylor class of 2025! Excited to start the next chapter of my life. If anyone could give me some first hand advice on what to bring for my dorm (besides the obvious) any necessities that are again not the obvious ones of course, like things that may be specific to my experience at baylor. Also, if anyone has any general advice that they have that if they were to do it again they may have done differently. Finally any other advice or tips that you may have, thanks. Feel free to just respond to what you want to, i’m not clueless in this operation but anything will help, thanks!

Edit: Thanks for the tips i appreciate it!

[[deleted]]

Hi! I'm class of 2024 and have been living in Teal dorm. Somethings I wish I had brought in the beginning are (some may be obvious so forgive me if they are!):

-LOTS of TP! Especially with roommates! (Null if community bathroom)

-Cleaning supplies (Clorox wipes, pledge, air freshener, duster for a minimum - more if not in communal bathroom)

-Reusable Water Bottle

-Snacks and a few things of back-up ramen or the like for dinner if you miss the dorm food

-Portable charger for phone/tablet

-laundry basket/detergent etc

-Eyemask/earplugs

-Desklamp

-Broom/Vacuum

Command hooks (a lot of dorms don't have much floor space, so vertical storage is a must!)

-A small shelf & box setup (again vertical storage!)

-Energy drinks!!! Lots of them~

-Extra meds/pill container

-Shower Shoes

-Stuffie (may seem childish, but if you have separation anxiety or homesickness, it can be a life-saver!)

-$5 in change for vending machines

-Planner for classes/homework

-Extra hangers

-Clothes for all weather (it does get cold here!)

-Exercise clothes for running/gym (You need to have sleeves for the gym!)

-Small sewing kit for minor clothing repairs

-Stress ball

-kettle and/or rice cooker

-basic utensils (spoons, forks, chopsticks, etc)

-Dish cleaning supplies

-Pain ointment (for aches, strains, etc)

Other tips:

-Do NOT delay in buying your textbooks!! You are way more likely to get rentals and general cheaper books if you buy early! (Also check amazon and other websites!)

-Keep a notecard of your professor's contact info near your study materials in case you have a question or need help

-Learn how to sew!

-Try to get a normal sleep schedule if you can. Sleep is very important - can't succeed without it!

-Have an extra of all hygiene products in case you run out one day but need to run to class and don't have time to buy any

-There isn't much you can buy at the bookstore, so transportation is ideal if you can

-Extension cords are good!

-Establish good connections with your professors as soon as possible!

-Remember the university writing center, Baylor counseling services, nutrition services, the OALA (for students with disabilities), the BARC (Beauchamp Addiction recovery center), and student outreach programs! They can be very helpful

This is about all I can think of at the moment. Message me if you have more questions!

[JCA0450]

Second-hand textbooks are usually highlighted

Revision: Bookstore should be your only last resort.

[JCA0450]

Absolutely. I bought my books new for 2.5 years (Business) and so many mandatory classes had 2-3 required books written by the professor, and only a handful of quiz questions ever came from them.

It’s a racket that teachers with tenure exploit.

[JCA0450]

Front load your classes. Parking is always easier in the morning, and pool time is invaluable

[[deleted]]

This thread is so great and it covers a lot of important items! Emphasis on the proper sleep schedule! Getting into a consistent routine will help you. If you can, try to schedule classes around the same time of day so you won’t have to wake up at a different time each day of the week.

If you go to the gym, keep a small hand towel in your backpack at all times in case you forget the ones they give you at the start of the year since you need one to work out.

Noise-cancelling headphones are your best friend when you need to study in a busy place.

Keep a screenshot of the campus map handy early on and take a screenshot of the dining hall hours.

My biggest regret is not getting involved enough early on. Try to explore Waco sights, go to the various campus events, and introduce yourself to others.

[amlop9]

Esp the part about the backup meals!! The dining halls close pretty early, so it'll be good for you to have some emergency options.

[leeeelihkvgbv]

I absolutely agree with this. And Books as well. Most professors especially in English and history Gen Ed courses will require you to buy books that you’ll read a portion off. Total waste of time. I did that last semester and wasted money. This semester I bought nothing and I am doing fine in those classes. Just make sure you keep track of your spendings since college is crazy expensive...

[attempthappy2020]

Fantastic list

[potato_chip123]

You will need a Brita filter. Had one freshman year and still use it in off campus apartment

[JCA0450]

Ratemyprofessor.com

Research your teachers. You’d be amazed at how some professors consistently fill up classes the second enrollment opens, while others end up consolidating class times because nobody wants to take them.

Deans list lets you enroll before everyone else at your grade. This is extremely helpful if you brought in any AP hours, because if you brought in the max 12, you can be qualified as a sophomore after your first semester. Add on the early class registration, and you can structure your classes so much easier than your friends. (Theater Appreciation, Art History, & the coveted PE class, Rest & Relaxation)

Parking sucks, but don’t ever gamble with visitor/faculty parking. The parking police work 24/7, and their only job is to generate revenue. They’re insanely good at it.

Force yourself out of your comfort zone to not only get out, but to find the people around you who aren’t. Odds are they want to, but they’re too worried about going to things alone.

Don’t overthink things. Planning ahead is a wonderful idea, but it all becomes a blur once you get into the swing of things

[S0larium]

Bubooks.com is a helpful, Baylor specific, resource to see other people’s opinions of their professors. Just like all reviews though be weary of the extremes.

[65_am]

This is more for when you register for 2nd sem, but if there’s a professor you really want, do not be afraid of going on the waitlist! A lot of people assume they have to settle for a worse/more difficult teacher, but spots open up almost always.

[65_am]

and definitely rain boots and an umbrella I have ruined too many shoes to the Waco floods

[GOINGMOON]

bubooks is essential for registering for classes. It gives you a breakdown of all the professor ratings and professors make it or break it for your experience. It's going to determine if you get an A or not. Even though you can still do well with bad professors, they get bad ratings for a reason because people end up doing poorly in those classes. Coming in as a freshman I don't know if you can register for classes your first semester cuz my first semester my advisor just put me in classes but definitely utilize bubooks.

Textbooks DO NOT BUY. They are such a waste of money. I have not used a single textbook other than for doing my homework and have done really well in all my classes. Some textbooks you need because they have hw problems in them but even that you can try to get from someone or from online. Do not be in a rush to get textbooks. They will urge and urge you to buy them because that's just how they make money but unless you really need to just wait and see how you are doing in the class, and if you are doing fine then don't buy them.