By Betty Huang | @deca.betty | Lynbrook DECA, CA
As DECA season starts, students scramble to find the best ways to maximize their DECA preparation. While members struggle with homework and outside activities, it is hard to pick out the most useful investments. Here is a list of the top 10 things that are actually worth your money.
1. Design Website Subscriptions
Whether you’re preparing for your written event or a corporate challenge, you are bound to have to use some sort of website to make your slideshows look better. Investing in a subscription for a designing website, such as Adobe, can really make your competition preparation easier.
2. Whiteboard
Roleplay preparation can get messy. Instead of using piles of papers to practice your roleplays, using a whiteboard would not only be more organized, but also help the environment. Buying a whiteboard can help keep your preparation organized.
3. Remote Clicker
Judging a written event isn’t fun if the presenter’s arms are covering the whole screen. A remote clicker can help you or your group present with better flow because there will be no need to go around your whole computer screen just to go to the next slide.
4. Shoe Storage Bag
If you’ve been to ICDC, you would know that walking to and from the convention center can be very tiring, especially if you are wearing nice dress shoes. Investing in a shoe storage bag can help reduce the soreness in your feet by allowing you to carry your dress shoes as you walk all the way to your event.
5. Stain Remover Pen
Some competition days are so busy that there is no time to change out of your blazer. While eating meals inside your hotel room, it is very common to spill food all over your one blazer or dress shirt. Keeping a stain remover pen close by can help reduce the risk of having to quickly rinse and dry your clothes right before your event.
6. Food Delivery Services
At competitions, schedules can get so packed that leaving the hotel is out of the question. A subscription to any food delivery services can help minimize the cost of ordering food while nervously preparing for your event.
7. Portable Clothes Steamer
No one has time to iron their clothes while at competitions. Not only does it take up space in your luggage, but it also takes lots of time to set up the ironing board and put it away. With a portable clothes steamer, your clothes can turn from wrinkly to professional in just a few seconds.
8. Laptop Tote
Walking into the presentation room can be nervewracking, but you don’t want to be so nervous that you drop your laptop. Getting a laptop tote can help you look more professional as you confidently walk up to your judge.
9. Heel Grips
After hours of walking in your dress shoes, your heels are bound to get blisters. This is why investing in heel grips can improve your competition experience by making sure your ankles won’t get hurt.
10. Compact Sewing Kit
Wearing your blazer for a whole weekend can really wear down its buttons. Getting a compact sewing kit can fix this problem by allowing you to easily fix your blazer whenever you need to.
