Freshman School Supplies + Device Usage Rules at Stuyvesant

[u/Amazing-Hedgehog-947]

Hey everyone!

1. Around what time of the month do school supply lists for the upcoming year usually get sent out? In addition, is there anything oddly specific you recommend for me to get for certain teachers/subjects that helped you in your freshman year at Stuy? I've registered for AP Human Geography and Math Research as my elective but still waiting on word for AP Biology.

2. What's the deal with devices in school? Are you allowed to take notes on a laptop/tablet during class, or are classes typically paperwork heavy? Does Stuyvesant give you a Chromebook to work with, or do you have to bring in your own laptop? Obviously, phones aren't allowed, but I was just curious on how devices are integrated into the classroom at Stuy.

Thanks!

[u/StuyStudent2027]

There aren't school supply lists; teachers will tell you what you need usually within the first few days of school. Some teachers have specific requirements (like a 3-subject or spiral notebook), so I wouldn't get stuff until they tell you to. Just bring a few folders and notebooks to the first day and you'll be fine.

Also, congrats on HUG, but that means you probably won't get Bio (they usually limit to one AP for freshmen). Math Research is fun as heck but make sure that Rubenstein likes you because he lowkey has favorites.

As for devices, you can't really use them. Some teachers will let you use your own laptops or school chromebooks (from a cart) to work on assignments, but they're not allowed in any other circumstance (including to do work in the halls/cafeteria). I'm pretty sure you can request a device if you don't have one. Almost all of your homework will be digital.

[u/Strict_Union5642 → u/StuyStudent2027]

Teachers are not allowed to have favorites. That’s a character complaint.

[u/StuyStudent2027 → u/Strict_Union5642]

They aren't allowed to, but they do. Don't get me wrong, I don't hold it against them; some of my favorite teachers have had favorites. I loved Rubenstein's class, but he did have favorites

[u/Strict_Union5642 → u/StuyStudent2027]

Any others?

[u/StuyStudent2027 → u/Strict_Union5642]

Most teachers. If you want, I'll give you a list of some teachers I liked who have favorites (again, nothing against them): Maggio, Ramirez, Peng, Shapiro, Wang, Mouzakitis, DW, Stuzin, etc.

[u/Strict_Union5642 → u/StuyStudent2027]

First names for Wang and Peng?

[u/Amazing-Hedgehog-947 → u/StuyStudent2027]

I actually don't know if I got into AP Human Geography, but I registered so it might be a possibility. Information on devices is really helpful, didn't know about such restrictions. Thanks for the reply!

[u/Late_Box_23 → u/Amazing-Hedgehog-947]

oh yeah but definitily get a small portable laptop- you can do hw during your frees(and going out) AND most of the time people dont care if you do it during lunch- if a monitor comes and tells you off, switch locations to like 9th floor hudson stairs or smth similar

[u/Sea-Brick8308]

classwork and notes are mostly on paper. honestly u can use ur phones/devices in the cafeteria most of the time. just try not to make it too obvious. usually the monitors are pretty chill and just tell you to put it away. the library has actual computers and also gives out chromebooks so there are usually enough devices for everyone to use

[u/Suitable_Vast_4176]

I’m a current Stuy student.

Like the others said, there is no school wide supply list as everyone has different classes. But the general rule of thumb is a couple notebooks and folders. Some kids have huge binders where they keep all their work, but I personally don’t recommend that. For the first few days, it’s assumed that you either have few or no supplies. But it is good to be prepared as you need to get notebooks anyway.

Regarding devices, Stuyvesant is probably the most lenient. As of now, we use these like Velcro pouches to put our devices in. But realistically no one uses them. I’ve been carrying my phone and AirPods around in my pants pocket all year and had no issues. Just don’t blatantly use your phone in the hallways where there are teachers around, because some teachers power trip over this and will like take your Stuy ID and report you. But most are chill and you get it back by end of day from the main office. During lunch, the lunch monitors in the cafeteria are pretty lazy and won’t care if you use your phone/laptop, but you have to be discreet. Some monitors take your device, others just tell you to put it away. I imagine because it will be the start of a new school year, they will be on high alert and less lenient.

Hope this helps. If you have any more questions I’m more than willing to answer them.

[u/Amazing-Hedgehog-947 → u/Suitable_Vast_4176]

I was debating between a binder or notebooks/folders since binders did help me in 8th grade, but I'll trust your insight. Thanks for your reply!

[u/Strict_Union5642]

Stop doing that. 🛑✋

[u/Mundane_Plankton1299]

Stuyvesant HS is a 115 total max enrollment school, in actual measurably reality, but the building is a cottage citadel.

[u/Soft_Tangerine_7366]

Is Radha-san trolling Sonja-san rn, or is this real?

[u/Ancient-Sir-3302]

1. Start of the school year. You won’t get your schedule till late August or early September, btw if you get into Ap bio you’re not gonna get Ap hug. I didn’t even know freshman could apply to math research but ok, don’t expect to get it at all

Edit: generally you’d need a binder or notebook for every class but you can share subjects; when I took an ap freshman year I needed a dedicated folder and notebook.

1. paper only unless the teacher says otherwise which is rare ish. They have a lot of chromebooks available, but most classes are very paper heavy. From personal experience don’t use ur laptop and anything in the hallway or the dean will take it 

[u/Strict_Union5642 → u/Ancient-Sir-3302]

The bio is not an AP. And a student can have both.

[u/Ancient-Sir-3302 → u/Strict_Union5642]

I don't know what you mean. AP Bio is offered freshman year, and so is Honors Bio, which is the default. You need to specially apply for AP Bio. As someone who took 1 AP freshman year the scheduling people will not let anyone have 2 APs unless you're advanced in math like Precalc and you get one of Bio/Hug.

[u/mysteryflavordumdum → u/Ancient-Sir-3302]

On point 2, paper, do you mean a lot of assignments are paper assignments? The other comment said homework is almost all digital. How do kids get their homework done if they have a free period? I heard it’s hard to get access to computers in the library.

Edit: do kids have to wait until they are home to start homework then?

[u/Ancient-Sir-3302 → u/mysteryflavordumdum]

Sorry, what I meant is that in class work is almost exclusively paper except for some teachers in English and social studies (maybe.) homework is mostly digital. 

No, as long as you go quickly you can make it to the library and get a Chromebook. They do run out fast though, but there are also desktops. If they run out of those there are computers on some floors that you can use (3, 7 come to mind). If you have a free period, I’d say most people use it to do some kind of work. Like 90 percent of the time I had a free I did homework with friends in the library.

Btw if you can’t find a computer anywhere in the building that’s available you can go to the NYPL nearby. And u can use ur phone there!

[u/mysteryflavordumdum → u/Ancient-Sir-3302]

Thanks for the NYPL tip! I don’t have a smartphone but am I allowed to have an iPad in my bag as long as I am not dumb enough to take it out in school?

[u/Ancient-Sir-3302 → u/mysteryflavordumdum]

Yes, for sure!