When considering any degree program it is important to understand how the materials will be provided and what on what type of media. For example, Fort Hays State University gives professors the option of video taping lectures on VHS cassette in which case it would be necessary for you to own a VCR (I know, they're getting harder to find). If you are required to do spreadsheets, you will need software that is compatible with that of the school's, like Microsoft Excel, if you will be expected to make multimedia presentations, you will need the equipment necessary to complete that as well. What I'm trying to say is that where you go to school and what you major in will have the largest impact upon the school supplies that you will need to successfully complete the degree. This post however will be focuses upon a typical Blackboard online, MBA student experience. So without further ado, I present Cajun's list of essential equipment to get your MBA online.

• 1.) A PC (personal computer). A computer running Microsoft Windows is likely to be a necessity. Sorry for all of you Mac lovers out there, but in the world of business, Microsoft is king. I strongly recommend a laptop for obvious reasons of portability and flexibility, it will also come in handy once you've finished your degree and get into the nitty gritty of daily business life should your employer not furnish you one.
• 2.) Microsoft Office. The student edition has served me well with no need to buy the full suite, but if you are going to get into large database functions, you may find that you need Access in which case you need the full office suite. There are alternatives, but at the MBA level, you'll save yourself a lot of aggravation by finding other ways of separating yourself apart from the crowd, your office suite shouldn't be one of them.
• 3.) You will definitely need a scientific calculator. Preferably one that will show the ENTIRE formula as you type it. These formulas can get pretty hairy, pretty quickly, being able to glance and double check that you have entered everything correctly will save you many headaches.
• 4.) You will need a jump drive or some type of flash drive if you move between PCs a lot. These are handy little USB memory sticks that you can get at Walmart for around $15.00 and come in incredibly handy.
• 5.) You will definitely need some kind of hard drive backup system for your PC. Crashes, viruses, breaking components, etc. will hurt you badly if you do not have a plan "B". I bought a little USB hard drive from Target for around $100.00 and it has already bailed my bacon out a couple of different times. Get one, don't take the chance on losing all of your hard work.
• 6.) Antivirus. There are some really nice free antivirus software suites out there like Avast and Antivir. At some point they may ask you to purchase the software for a paltry sum, but it's worth it to have functional, up to date antivirus running at all times. Especially when swapping files with classmates.
• 7.) A firewall. Like the antivirus, no PC is complete without a firewall. Sygate makes a nice freebie, just Google it.
• 8.) A dedicated notebook that is for taking class notes in exclusively. That's right; the little daily notebook full of phone numbers, schedules and scribbled poems to your cat probably isn't a good quick reference. Make sure you have a notebook containing nothing but your personal class notes that you can quickly reference anytime the need arises. This should go wherever your text book goes.
• 9.) A good ink pen. Not some kind of thin little ball point pen you stole from the bank, but a good, solid easy to write with workhorse of a pen. Running out of ink at 2AM in the middle of a Denny's restaurant is not the time to figure out that you need a better pen. Heck carry several and make sure they aren't the kind that makes your hand cramp after prolonged periods of writing, otherwise you may get lazy on those valuable notes.
• 10.) A book bag of some kind, preferably one that is both stylish and tough. It needs to be able to handle the 15 lb. monster of a law book, laptop, pens, computer peripherals like that jump drive, etc. I know, I know, the idea of a backpack may be less appealing and a briefcase may be too business like, so I try to stick with the Jack Bauer type of bag. You know the guy from 24? Only instead of various instruments of death and destruction I carry a humble array of books.
• 11.) A binder for your class notes and syllabus as provided by instructor. Usually a small paper binder will suffice, at least in my experience. Those cheap 3 ring binders fall apart pretty quickly so I go for the ledger style binders you see in business archive rooms.
• 12.) A printer would be very handy, though not always necessary. Since most things, if not all that you will be required to submit in school will be via email or Blackboard or the like. A printer is not really necessary unless you are required to submit paper reports. Personally I only use the printer to print my work to review later before submitting it electronically. Check with your school requirements.
• 13.) Your books. Make sure you have money set aside for your textbooks. Running out of money celebrating finishing your last course right before needing a textbook for your next course is a seriously depressing situation to be in. Don't try it.
• 14.) Set aside money for some additional reference books to fill in the gaps that the instructor and text book leave behind, which is inevitable, especially if you do not have a business undergrad major. I have personally had to purchase several different subjects under the Portable MBA, as well as the 10 Day MBA, What the Best MBA's Know, MBA Economics, MBA Essentials, etc. All of these books can really be a life saver when you have no clue what the required text is talking about. I've used them countless times to catch up quickly at the beginning of a class and they are usually easier to understand than a textbook.
• 15.) You will need the Internet regardless of whether you are going online or via correspondence. Email and Wikipedia are both tools I use almost every single day without fail. Email for obvious reasons of communication and Wikipedia as a quick reference to point me in the right direction when writing research or just wanting to learn about something quickly.
• 16.) Set aside money for tutoring. I've had to use a private tutor, fortunately for free, but I'm (-) this close to hiring a tutor for Managerial Economics as well. There's no shame in getting a tutor, hey, no business professional worth their salt does everything themselves without help and nobody is the foremost expert in everything, not even me.
• 17.) Last but not least, buy a bumper sticker, a t-shirt, a hat or something that makes you feel connected with the school. Something that gives you a feeling of tangibility or the feeling that you are a part of something larger than yourself. It helps in keeping you motivated and knowing that you are not alone in this.

It is worth mentioning again that this list is not exhaustive, but you may find it to be an excellent start. Hope this helps.
-Cajun

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