The Last Minute Checklist

With less than a week to go for the post-graduate students, its time we did the last minute checks before we set sails towards the campus. While building up this exhaustive list of things to keep in mind and also of things to carry along to the campus, I was struck with the feeling that there is a lot of work for me still to complete. As a result, this would be my last posting on this Blog for the week and I would take up my responsibilities once again from the campus. However, Pranav will continue with the work in my absence.

On this story, I have tried to compile a checklist of items of importance which we should think about before we make our move towards the campus. Some of the items on this list might overlap the list which we have received from the college. Some, might seem as misfits for the category of importance in which they are placed. While others, might seem as completely irrelevant to have been mentioned at all.

However, the effort here is to try and build an exhaustive reference for all the students before they leave their homes to build another one at the campus where they will be spending the next two or four years of their lives. Many of us might be so busy shopping that we could have completely forgotten about some of the very crucial things which are present on this list. If there is something that’s missing out, do make use of the comments section just after this posting and add it up yourself for the benefit of others.

Most Important Ones
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Get the Mind Set: Flame is not your home and you wont have the luxury of running to your parents whenever you wish. Thus, it calls for a mindset that needs to be able to adjust to a new environment which might not have all that you have been used to for years, a feeling of accepting what is being offered, living and learning along with a group of people who might think exactly the opposite of you, bearing those sleepless nights and peer pressure, and many more such aspects which you will come across when you start with this new chapter in your life. One needs to get prepared for routines, discipline, hard work, challenges, bitching and tolerance which would be one of the most crucial aspects from the very first minute on the campus. Get set for it.

Travel Arrangements: It is important to inform the college about the number of people traveling along with you (in case you would be accompanied with your parents) along with the time and mode of arrival. It is not recommended to try to reach to the campus by your own vehicles and it would be best if assistance is taken from the college with their buses which would be specially arranged for this. Also, find out if there are arrangements for carrying along the huge luggage which is expected with each of the students. Cross-checking of the ticket reservations and the hotel bookings, wherever applicable, should be done well in advance, preferably now.

Registration Formalities: Please refer to the long list of documents and all other items which are required as a part of the registration process. Segregating the originals and the photocopies into separate files and also keeping scanned copies of the important documents as a backup can prove to be a good idea. Inform the counselors in advance about those documents which you would not be able to provide and the formalities which are involved in such a situation.

Cash: One word which would matter the most. One needs to ensure that he/she is aware of all the details with regard to the fees, their payment procedures, the contact people, the deadlines, the arrangements already made for its payment, etc. Payment of your fees is ultimately your responsibility and you need to make sure that you take it up seriously. Setting aside enough cash for pocket expenses, unusual and emergency requirements, etc. is always a good idea. In case of people carrying ATM cards, be sure about their Pin numbers and also about keeping them safe and secured.

Other Necessities
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Your Study Table: Your Laptop would be one of the most crucial items there. Those getting their laptops from the college recommended vendors, its best to cross check with them about the time and method of delivery, the payment status, any delays expected (also the Plan B in such a situation) along with the necessary billing and warranty documents which the vendors would provide along with the machine. For those buying their machines from outside, cross check the configuration requirements from the college IT department. Getting additional DVD’s and CD’s of games, music, softwares and even blank storage disks and devises such a pen drives and external hard drives will help. An extension chord with multiple jacks will come in handy when you wish you connect your other gadgets to your computers. Apart from this its good to have as many or most of the following items when you think of setting up your study tables: Table Lamp, Alarm Clock, Calculator, Pen Stand, Notebooks, Spare Paper, Pen, Pencils, Erasers, Sharpeners, Rulers, Scheduler/Diary, Paints, Brushes, Plastic Files, Drawing/Sketch Books, Rough Paper, A4 Sheets, Envelopes, Scissors, Safety Pins, Staplers, Memorabilia, etc.

Your Wardrobe: Do not carry any of the items which are not allowed on the campus. However, apart from the usual items already mentioned in the list, you should party wear as well. Since winter is the approaching season, a stock of warm clothes could also be made. A small bag with all the usual toiletries and some extra stocks just in case they are not available at the campus general store could be very useful. Carrying a few extra handkerchiefs and towels should be a plus. Also, taking Mom’s advise on keeping a few empty carry bags will help. The sportsmen can carry their special caps and women can carry the UV protection lotions to save themselves from the sun. Ladies, would surely carry their vanity kits without mention. We would also advise that a set of lock and keys can help specially to those who would be carrying some valuables along with them. Those requiring any form of medication, please carry your stock of medicines. A small kit with some medicines, bandages, ointments, etc. would be extremely useful.

Your Room: A few things to keep the room clean as well as beautiful can also be added to the list. Living in the midst of nature, mosquito and insect repellants and spray should definitely be accompanied. Some cloth and a broom for cleaning, floor mats, bucket, cleaning and washing soap should be available at the campus general store. However some of these items could be carried along as well. Bottles or cases for storing water along with glasses and cups should definitely be present on everyone’s list. Also if there are a few memorabilia which you would like to use to decorate the room, do put in into your bags. Reference books and novels if any should be added to the list of items in your room. You should also carry your Ipods, Diskmans, Spectacles, Lenses and their kits, Digital Cameras, GSM Phone Handsets, etc. along with your other luggage if you so desire their presence.

Miscellaneous Items: Ensure that you have your travel bags ready for all that you wish to carry and whether they have the required capacity or not. Be loaded with lots of interesting games and activities which would be a part of spending the idle time while on the campus. In case you wish to keep a personal vehicle on the campus, do try and understand the requirements for it from the college and make sure you have all the legalities cleared with respect to the License, PUC, Blue Book, etc. Please make sure that you have your list of contacts, telephone numbers, emergency numbers, addresses, etc. for any unforeseen or urgent situation. And yes, if your Mother wants to add a few boxes of home made specialities please don’t refuse to carry them. There would be several hungry beasts, including myself, to help you out in doing enough justice to them while on the campus.

If you feel that there are things, which need to be added to this checklist, please do add them below in the comments section so that it can benefit all of us.