Swag

There are three ways to obtain college swag:
1) Free handouts at sports games or school events
2) Prizes from drawings or volunteering
3) Buying it in the bookstore

The goal in college is to obtain as much swag as possible (and yes, that is indeed the ONLY reason to go to college).  So obviously you will attend lots of sports games, school events, drawings, and volunteering escapades.  The thing is that the really good swag is usually only available through the bookstore and it is really expensive - try $60 for a sweatshirt.

The trick to getting swag from the bookstore is to buy at opportune times.  Don't buy anything during big event weekends where parents might come to visit because they jack the prices up (if your parents buy stuff for you though, feel free).  Don't buy things right when a new design comes in.  Wait for things to be on clearance or in an off-season (buy shorts in the winter and sweatpants in the summer).  If you get along with your roommate, each buy different swag and then share them so that you have twice as much.  Don't buy school supplies or art supplies in the bookstore if you can help it - it is simply unethical to charge someone $7 for a pack of notecards just because they are convenient.  Come on, people.

Anyway, to review: stock up on free swag, buy your swag cheap, know that you are loved :)