Basics for teen about to head off to college

[Anarchivist]

Hello all,
I’m a young guy, not in great shape, about to head off to college. I own several firearms that were left to me by my late grandfather, but I’ll likely leave those in my dad’s safe because I don’t think my college would be too thrilled. I have been lightly mining bitcoin for the past 8 months or so. What should be my top priority preparedness wise?

 

[user 5745]

All of these are with the proviso 'if you don't know already'

Learn how to cook, clean, do laundry and do at least basic sewing repairs and alterations - these will all stand you in good stead throughout your life.

If your campus is even halfway suitable, get a bike (or service your current bike) and panniers a) for whizzing around with your study gear and b) to get fitter and stronger. Learn how to maintain the bike: cleaning and lubing, puncture repairs, fitting new gears and chain, adjusting brakes and gears, etc.

On a more personal note, learn the campus layout as soon as possible: buildings and rooms, pathways and shortcuts, pleasant places to sit, quiet places, facilities and features, etc. This will help you to feel more comfortable and settled, which in turn will help you to settle to your studies and to making friends.

Good luck with it

 

[Proud Prepper]

Learn skills, increase your survival knowledge base. Buy a personal water filter.

 

[jimLE]

Will you be staying. In a dorm?and if so,Will you be allowed to have a free standing cabinet/ locker?if so,might get one that you can keep locked.keep prep items in it.including a bug out bag.that'll help you to get home.bicycle was mentioned. Might include a bike trailer to that.in which it'll not only be lite whight.but will offer a roof over your head of sorts.

 

[Brent S]

Religars idea on the filter, I think a good water filter is a basic must have prep for everyone, is a really good idea. The baseball bat is a good idea too for protection where a firearm wouldn’t be welcomed. My best advice is have some fun, work hard, and stay out of debt. Oh, one last thing, pick a major that’s better than basket weaving!

 

[Danil54grl]

A coffee pot is a good idea to have even a hot plate. Both these can be used for cooking purposes. My hot plate I also had a crock pot thing that you can set in top to slow cook. Some college dorms don't allow for a hot plate. You can cook ramen noodles in a coffee pot though. Just have your noodles in the pot while the hot water drips then wait till done. Warms up soups too, just don't run the soups thru. . Open up the jar/can and pour into the pot to warm on hot plate. It takes awhile but it does the job eventually. I have even heard of people making pancakes and eggs on the coffee pot hot plate just to give you some ideas. A small fridge is nice to have too.

Always be aware of your surroundings. Campus has security but just like police, they can not be everywhere. Know how to walk with confidence. And I like the baseball idea. Don't open yourself up to be an easy target.

 

[Brent S]

Great idea on the crock pot and mini fridge. Eating out is not only expensive but is horrible for you. It’s always nice to have leftovers in the fridge too for when you don’t feel like cooking.

 

[Arcticdude]

Hello all,
I’m a young guy, not in great shape, about to head off to college. I own several firearms that were left to me by my late grandfather, but I’ll likely leave those in my dad’s safe because I don’t think my college would be too thrilled. I have been lightly mining bitcoin for the past 8 months or so. What should be my top priority preparedness wise?

Go to trade school. Learn a skill that is in demand, pays well and one that will be a big help if there's ever a serious SHTF event. Most trades are in much higher demand that a useless college degree. College degrees are a dime a dozen now days.

 

[Brent S]

Agreed. They may only be worth a dime now but tend to be tens of thousands in debt worth to get.

 

[Maverick]

As what was alluded to by Arctic, get into an apprenticeship with a trade that can be used in an era of very little power or none at all but would be in demand in a post-shtf, in a pre-shtf, good money, gets one in shape and always in demand one way or another which means you would have the capability to keep busy in worst of times, if not for money at least barter. In the worst of times people will always have needs. a good start would be (in no particular order)

pipefitter
masonry (cement/concrete finishers)
metal fabricator
carpentry
blacksmith

 

[DrHenley]

If I would be a young man again and had to decide how to make my living, I would not try to become a scientist or scholar or teacher. I would rather choose to be a plumber...
- Albert Einstein

 

[bigpaul]

if I was young again, not that I feel old now, I would do a lot of things differently, one would be to not go into an office but to learn a trade or other skill, one that could earn me a living and one in demand, plumbers and electricians are in short supply over here, all the kids want to be is something in IT, a games designer, they don't want to get their hands dirty, but IT people are 2 a penny and many are unemployed.

 

[Brent S]

Yeah, real hands on skills are getting harder to find decent people in the fields now. We’ve been trying to find an electrician for a while now. All we get are guys that say they can do everything but want 38.00 an hour, truck to take home and are supervisors now. Does anyone want to work anymore?

 

[Danil54grl]

Yeah, real hands on skills are getting harder to find decent people in the fields now. We’ve been trying to find an electrician for a while now. All we get are guys that say they can do everything but want 38.00 an hour, truck to take home and are supervisors now. Does anyone want to work anymore?

And the answer is no. . . They just want a paycheck. At least the majority I think. Ive gotten to the point that I don't want to " play nice" with others and have been working the graveyard shift by choice for a little over a month now. I've done some mornings, but like to day I came home, laid down for an hour and I'll go back in tonight to get off at 4am or so. With everything going on right now I just can't deal with lazy and stupid from both co-workers or customers . . It's a peace of mind to work alone. Sorry you don't have that option in your line of work.