School Shopping: A Survival Guide

By: Levena Lindahl

            When people mention any kind of school shopping, I shudder to think of everything I still need to do, mostly because I am a bit of a procrastinator.  I am not a fan of crowds, but I also really dislike being unprepared so it is a vicious cycle.   However, there is hope!  This year I made a list, which I shall share with you, of things that you will likely need over the course of the school year, or the semester.  I also included some items that I have found handy that you might not have considered.  These are some basics, along with stuff for apartments and the like.  I strongly recommend checking out your ‘must have’ lists as well as this before you start packing!  And now, for your reading pleasure, I present to you Levena’s List of Getting Things Done.

School Supplies!

1. Scissors- always handy for treads or fixing paper issues

2. Binder clips or paper clips- hold your papers together

3. Tape- fix minor tears

4. Pushpins- attach things to your cork board or wall if allowed

5. Corkboard/whiteboard and markers

6. Stapler and staples- don’t rely on the library’s; it is often broken. 

7. Sharpies, highlighters, and writing utensils- be able to write your thoughts!

8. Post-it notes and flags- find that one paragraph you wanted to cite quickly and easily!

9. Binders- durable way to hold your papers together

10. Folders- you might need one to turn in papers, so it’s a good idea to have a few

11. Notebooks and loose leaf paper- please take notes in class

12. White out/ correction tape- for when you mess up in your class notes

13. Rubber bands- holds your writing utensils and note cards together and good for getting your roommates attention. (Not that I ever did that.  There were no rubber band wars.)

14. Index cards- great for studying, and if you color code the edges it’s easier to put them back together when you inevitably knock them all over the floor.

15. Hole puncher- good for handouts

16. Resume paper and envelopes- hey, this is super useful if you are job or internship hunting during your semester.  This says you are a young professional and it looks good.

17. Day planner- stay organized and on top of your classes and social life!

18. Desk shelf- Well, that’s what I call it; it adds another level to my desk, and on one   side it has five slots where I can put various folders.  It’s a really useful organizing device!

  Assorted other things!

 

     1. Surge protector- protects your electronics!

 

2. Alarm clock- Don’t rely on your phone! Most of these have a battery backup which is important in power outages.

3. Lamps- Most dorms are sadly lacking in the light department.  This will let you get the light you need, where you need it.

4. Backpack- are you carrying your laptop?  Get a good backpack as it will get heavy fast walking across campus, especially with books added in!  I love my Swiss Gear back; it has lasted me for years.

5. Cube organizers- these are great for holding books and papers throughout the semester.

6. Hangers-These are so important.  You don’t have much drawer space, so make the most of your closet.

7. Cleaning supplies- Again, so important.  Clorox wipes and Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are lifesavers. 

8. Wall calendar- Helps you to be organized and on top of things.  (Works really well in addition to your day planner)

9. Umbrella- Stay dry!  Avoid getting sick!

10. First Aid kit- For all of those minor injuries like scrapes and paper cuts. There are a lot of tips online on how to build your own.

11. Sewing kit- It’s really handy to be able to fix a missing button or a small tear.  These are great.

12. Clean removable hangers or blue tack- to hang things around your area. 

13. Candle warmer- most dorms won’t let you light candles as they are a fire hazard.  This lets you enjoy your candle fire free which lets your candle last longer.  You can also use these to keep your ceramic cup of coffee or tea warm, who knew?

And that is that.  I know I didn’t cover bedding or clothes and laundry things, but it is difficult to say what people need there.  This is why I again recommend that you check your list of items to double check what you might need.  I hope this list makes your school shopping a bit easier, and that I gave you some ideas that you might not have remembered otherwise.  Have a great semester!

Five Reasons Students Should Join a Club at TTC

Photo by Candice Bizzell of the TTC Photo Club

by Candice Bizzell


Most students are not aware that Trident Tech has over 40 different active clubs and organizations for students to get involved in. Joining a club or organization in college has many benefits, but perhaps the top five reasons to join one here at Trident Tech are that clubs help you to meet new people, increase self-esteem, improve grades, discover a new career path, and build a stronger resume. Who would have thought that being involved in campus life could do so much for you?


Most students are not aware that Trident Tech has over 40 different active clubs and organizations for students to get involved in. Joining a club or organization in college has many benefits, but perhaps the top five reasons to join one here at Trident Tech are that clubs help you to meet new people, increase self-esteem, improve grades, discover a new career path, and build a stronger resume. Who would have thought that being involved in campus life could do so much for you?

7 Ways to Avoid Constantly Being Late For School

Photo by dream healer

By Dane Richards

Why is being late for school such a serious problem for some people? All you have to do is take a few simple steps to make sure you are prepared and leave for school on time. Yet so many people struggle with this. In a time of high unemployment and ever-increasing layoffs, one cannot afford to be late on a consistent basis. Being late for school lets your instructor know that you are not taking your job as a student seriously enough. Your dependability and work ethic and other intangibles are questioned. Being late on a consistent basis will lead to an instructor who will not write you a good letter of recommendation, may not use his or her network to help you, and may lower your grade. A few simple adjustments are all that you need to make to prevent being late.  

The Kickin' Chicken: A Review

From the Kickin Chicken Facebook page

By Brett Fields

The big game is this Sunday, and you have nowhere to watch it. Look no further than your local Kickin' Chicken. A restaurant with a sports bar feel and over twenty-four wing sauces is just the place to watch a big game. Wings, chicken sandwiches, burgers, and wraps headline the reasonably-priced menu. Bobby Fries, one of the restaurant's specialties, are a personal favorite of mine: French fries draped in cheddar cheese, ranch sauce, and bacon bits. The restaurant is somewhat local with six locations in South Carolina and the seventh in North Carolina. 

What is Berkeley First?



The Breezeway at Berkeley Campus



By Zaneta Kennedy

College life is much different than life in high school or a G.E.D. program. For some, crossing over to higher learning can be a challenge. For Berkeley Campus students, the transition is made easier through Antonio Robinson, who organizes a program called Berkeley First.

April Transfer Advising Schedule

Did you miss the Transfer Advising Fair? Don't worry. Representatives from area colleges and universities will be on campus to meet with you and help you explore your options.

April Transfer Advising Schedule

Main Campus

Main Campus - Building 100/Room 140

• Monday, April  2                      The Citadel                                        9:00 a.m. –  11:00 a.m.
• Monday, April  2                      Columbia University                          12:00 p.m. –    2:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, April  3                     Charleston Southern University        11:00 a.m. –    1:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, April  4                College of Charleston                         9:00 a.m. –  11:00 a.m.
• Thursday, April  5                    South Carolina State University         9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
• Monday, April  9                       Saint Leo University                           11:00 a.m. –   2:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, April  10                    Bellevue University                             9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• Wednesday, April  11               Bellevue University                             9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• Thursday, April  12                   Southern Wesleyan University           9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
• Monday, April  16                      South Carolina State University         11:30 a.m. –   2:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, April  17                     The Citadel                                         1:00 p.m. –   3:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, April  18                South Carolina State University         9:00 a.m. –  11:30 a.m.
• Thursday, April  19                    Limestone College                             9:00 a.m. –  11:00 a.m.
• Thursday, April  19                    Saint Leo University                           11:30 a.m. –    2:00 p.m.
• Friday, April  20                         Charleston Southern University         2:00 p.m. –   4:00 p.m.

Bring a printout of your transcript from TTC Express.

No appointment is necessary.

For more information call Susan Norton at 843.574.6211

Need Writing Help?

By Zaneta Kennedy

 A new semester means new classes and, of course, new assignments. Many classes require essay writing, whether it is in history, art appreciation, or English. Many students dread writing term papers simply because they haven’t the knowledge or resources to compose a clear and concise essay.

This is where Ms. Cameron Sperry comes in. She is a writing tutor who offers help to all TTC students currently enrolled in any TTC class. Ms. Sperry does not write, edit, or proofread papers for students. The assistance she offers involves helping students learn to recognize the problems they have and the types of errors they make in their own writing, with the goal of helping the students improve their overall writing skills.

How to Make the Most of the Spring Career Fair

by Brian Almquist

Why attend the Spring Career Fair? To access approximately 100 employers in one location! The annual Spring Career Fair sponsored by Student Employment will be held on Wednesday, April 4th from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in the College Center of building 920. This is one of the largest employer fairs in the area each year. All students and graduates should make an effort to attend if possible. Even if you are not presently looking for employment, you will be able to speak with company representatives to prepare yourself once you are in the market for a career. The fair is also open to the public.

Need Help Transferring to a Four-Year College?

Susan Norton (staff photo)

by Theo Legree and Elizabeth Hair

If you find the process of transferring to a four-year college or university confusing, overwhelming and frustrating, you are not alone. Many students looking to transfer have shared similar feelings and concerns. Many find that the language on applications and forms is confusing and feel that the rules keep changing. Add those challenges to the difficulty of fielding advice and recommendations from multiple sources and you may find a messy situation at hand. However, Trident Tech has a number or resources to help you so that the transferring process does not have to be a problem.


TTC’s Palmer Campus is holding a Transfer Fair on Tuesday, March 27^th from 11:30 am to 1:30pm outside of room 102. Admissions representatives from the following colleges and universities will be available to meet prospective students and answer questions about transfer admissions, scholarships, financial aid, and more:

Charleston Southern University

Coastal Carolina

College of Charleston

Limestone College

Park University

Saint Leo’s University

Southern Wesleyan University

Springfield College

The Art Institute of Charleston

The Citadel

Webster University

What is the Student Activity Period?

by Theo LeGree

The last Student Activity Period of the semester is Monday, March 26, 10:20-11:20, and you will have no classes then. Contrary to popular belief, the Student Activity Period is not time for students to leave or lounge around on campus. The Student Activity Period is time set aside from academic learning for students to get involved in student organizations. Student organizations hold meetings monthly during the Activity Period. The college cancels classes for an hour each month because the college president, Dr. Mary Thornley, feels that you being involved in campus clubs and organizations is that important.   

How Does Logging On from One Place Sound?

By Joe Gibson

Have you ever wished your TTC email, TTC Express, and D2L courses were all available in one place with one logon? Well, it’s coming. A new and improved my.tridenttech web portal will be launched in Fall 2012. The goal of the my.tridenttech portal is to improve communication and provide a single point of access to applications and information for faculty, staff, and students. The new portal will provide single sign-on access to TTC Express, D2L courses and student email (Gmail) from one location.

This means no more multiple logins to these systems. Students will also be able to easily access their my.tridenttech email and view calendar events from the portal home page. The portal is geared to make a student’s college life easier, improve access to critical information, and help him or her stay connected.

2011-2012 Pell Grant Changes: How Will You be Affected?

By Taylor Hastings

Federal Financial aid demands are at an all time high, and funding at a low point. In 2011, nine million undergraduate students were awarded Pell Grants. However, Congress voted to change the Federal Pell Grant program for the next year. 

What is a Pell Grant? A Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not have to be repaid.  The maximum Pell grant for the 2011-12 award year (July 1, 2011, to June 30, 2012) is $5,550.  The amount you receive depends on your financial need, costs to attend school, status as a full-time or part-time student, and plans to attend school for a full academic year or less. A number of students at Trident Technical College receive financial aid in the form of Pell Grants.

Take Our Money, Please: TTC Scholarships

Photo by Stuart Miles

by Roger West

Students now must have plenty of money to devote to the cost of their educations. Why? Because so few students have applied for the scholarships that are available to them at Trident Technical College. It must be a sign that the economy is improving or, better yet, booming. If you are not one of those fortunate students who have their tuition and funding set for next year, then you still have time to complete the scholarship application.

There’s an App for That!

By Nicole Thomas

Managing college life can be challenging, overwhelming and downright frustrating. From picking classes and wrestling financial aid to juggling a part time job and a full class load to navigating the 920 building, we can sometimes feel doomed. Have no fear, there’s an app for that!

I would highly suggest that if you don’t already have one, spend some of that financial aid on a smart phone, iPad or other device that supports “apps.” There are apps for everything from games (hello, Angry Birds?) to calorie counting. But, the seldom discussed, most valuable apps out there are the ones for students.

Loving the Library

By Eric Benhall

Some associate libraries with shelves and shelves of antiquated volumes. Nothing could be further from the truth. Here at Trident Technical College, we have access to an enormous amount of information. In addition to the materials available for physical checkout, the TTC library offers students many online avenues, too. The best place to start your academic success at Trident Tech is with the library orientation videos. They are found under the “Research Help” tab on the library’s homepage.