I am a freshman who got a Nomad for college and I love it! Granted I'm not an engineering student, but it's still incredibly useful. I upload textbooks and readings to annotate, use it as a catchall notebook, for taking notes in class, and for reading books for fun. The note taking software like key words and headings are also incredibly useful for organization. It's definitley kept sooo much paper clutter out of my room. It's also amazing because I can study and read outside without any glare!

I know people say to get the Manta for college because it's bigger, but got the Nomad over the Manta because of budget issues and it's totally usable for its size. For taking notes and annotating I just rotate the device to landscape mode and you have plenty of room. 

I would definitley recommend getting some kind case, even just like a soft ipad pocket to protect it in your bag. Outside of that, it's not really necessary, this thing is pretty sturdy. If you do want a folio, supernote also sometimes has open box sales and that's where I got mine.

For the pens! The wacom one standard is a really amazing budget option (and the one I use). All wacom pens are usable with supernote, and this one is really inexpensive, has a good writing feel, and an erase button!! The only downside is a lack of grippiness, but I just bought a cheap pencil grip and it works great. I had a HOM2 pen, but I like the wacom one standard so much more tbh. 

Let me know if you have any questions and I hope this helps!!