File cabinet question

[Threeboysmom]

So this is my final week prior to staring school. I've been debating if I really need a file cabinet or not in my home office where I will do the majority of my studying. What's your take? Part of me feels like I should just purchase one on the other hand it's hard to say what percentage of articles will be stored in the cloud versus an actual paper copy. Any ideas?

[Between Fields]

I've never had to use a paper journal for a class. You can get almost anything (Except perhaps stuff published within the last two or three years, but this is changing now) on the internet, either through a database or as a PDF given to you by your instructor. If you do get something in paper, you can always scan it and make a PDF yourself, then toss the paper copy. 

[TakeruK]

I use a file cabinet at work but only because it was already in the office (although when I started my MSc program, the school had money to buy furniture so I requested one). I find it useful to store both my own coursework as well as students' work before I hand them back and other random notebooks and paper things I have for work/school purposes. I would probably find a way to live without a filing cabinet though, if I had to buy my own (I did buy my own for home but that's only for personal use).

[geographyrocks]

If you do decide to buy one, definitely look at thrift stores. I bought a 2 drawer cabinet with keys for $15.

[iphi]

Totally depends, but I would look at your office first. Plenty of grad student offices either have a filing cabinet in them or the students will have access to a communal one (with individual drawers).

[Threeboysmom]

Geographyrocks that is a great idea.  I forgot to consider the thrift stores.

[Monochrome Spring]

I prefer to use magazine files like these. I can put my files anywhere, like random bookshelves, and I can take a collection of papers with me easily by just taking a file with me.

 

If you decide you want an actual filing cabinet, look into the university surplus store. They usually have really nice office furniture for cheap, because departments upgraded their equipment.