Tuesday, August 30, 2011

11 Must-Haves for University Life

Back-to-school season is upon us and kids of all ages are prepping for their return to the classroom. Are you a Canadian Career Gal who knows someone who's university-bound? Pass along this checklist to them of 11 must-haves for starting off their freshman year on the right foot.

Here are 11 items that no student living away from home should be without.

Ear plugs
Roommates, dorm rooms and apartment complexes are noisy. Keep ear plugs on hand to help shut out distractions and ensure quiet study time and a good night’s sleep.

Coffeemaker
From all-nighters to early classes, keeping a coffeemaker on hand helps keep students awake and cuts down on expensive, coffeehouse brews. Snag multi-cup machines, like those from Black & Decker, with auto shutoff features (it powers down as you power up for the day), plus Sneak-a-Cup capabilities, allowing you to snag a quick cup, even as the full batch is still brewing.

DVD case
Budding cinephiles should leave DVD boxes at home and transfer their collection to a sturdy carrying case, making their new, semi-nomadic lifestyle that much easier to manage and to keep all their favorite films in one, easy-to-find place.

Toaster
For undergrads, bagels and toast are pretty much a major food group. Luckily these days, even affordable toasters come in cool, stainless steel designs thanks to brands like Black &  Decker, which have preset toasting features, extra-wide slots for easy loading and unloading, plus retractable cords—perfect for tight spaces and easy storage.

Flip flops
Community showers are an unfortunate rite of passage for many dorm dwellers. So always remember to keep a dedicated pair of flip-flops to spare bare feet from touching questionable tile.

Extra-long sheets
When it comes to bedding, just remember: Double-X. Translation? Extra sets of extra-long twin sheets for oddly-sized dorm-room mattresses. Students don’t always have time to do laundry, which is why it’s smart to keep an extra pair on hand, too.

Blender

For budget living, any mix master knows that a good blender is perfect for preparing smoothies, salsas, shakes and more. Chic and inexpensive models from Black & Decker contain convenient features, too, like built-in cord storage, dishwasher-safe removable parts for easy clean-up, and even a handy 1-ounce measuring cup inside the lid.

Surge protector
Between phone chargers, computers, desk lamps and all sorts of other gadgets, it’s always a bright idea to bring a power strip with surge protector to help manage today’s many electronic needs.

Countertop Oven
Essential for starter apartments, cooking couldn’t be easier with a countertop oven. Value-friendly Black & Decker models lend versatility with bake, broil, toast and warming functions, while convection airflow from quartz heaters offers quick and consistently cooked brain food—from hot sandwiches to small pizzas—for even the smallest taste of home.

Quarters
Sure, home is great for free laundry. But between visits, be sure to have a stash of quarters ready for the laundry room. And a timer isn’t bad either. Nothing worse than finding one’s wet unmentionables piled high atop a public machine by an impatient neighbour.

Iron
Internships, office hours and hot dates have one thing in common: the need to make a good first impression. This is why students should always have a good iron on hand. The latest and greatest from Black & Decker even offer vertical steaming for trouble-free touch-ups right on the hanger, while space-friendly one-touch cord reel features are perfect for fast and easy storage, too.

(Note: Always check with on-campus housing authorities regarding any restrictions on appliances.)

Courtesy of Applica Canada Corporation, exclusive licensee of Black & Decker® Home


CCG Giveaway Alert!*
Hey CCG Fans, we're giving one lucky reader a Black & Decker 2-Slice Stainless Steel Toaster (valued at $39.99)! 

Some of the great features of this toaster include:
• 2-slice, extra wide slots
• Easy-to-use toast functions
• Retractable cord
• Electronic toast controls
• Toast shade selector
• Removable crumb tray
• Easy-clean surface

Want to win it? All you have to do is "Like" the Canadian Career Gal Facebook page and tell us what's your favourite breakfast food.

You'll then be automatically entered into a random draw for a chance to win a Black & Decker 2-Slice Stainless Steel Toaster
. To be eligible for the draw, be sure to post your answer on our Facebook page by Tuesday, September 6th at 8 PM (EST).

Winner will be announced on our Facebook page, as well as right here on the official CCG site so check back with us after the contest closing time to see if you won. Good luck!


*CONTEST IS OPEN TO CANADIAN RESIDENTS ONLY

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