I am getting together as much kit as I can before my course starts in September. I have thought of the obvious stuff like overall and boots, but was wondering what else I would need. Tools and such are supplied by the college so I don't have to worry about that for the time being, but is there any other practical kit or books which may be worth getting in the meantime?

I am already working on the maths (a difficult subject for me because of the dyscalculia (dyslexia with numbers) so I am not too worried there.

a good scientific calculator. When I went to college, a cool $90, now you can get them for $20, (only now I can't remember how to use all of the functions!).

I agrre with JK a good scientific calculator is a must, they cost peanuts now, my first one when I was a phase 3 cadet cost a months pay...(Before that we used slide riules, lubricated with graphite from soft pencils, 4B, for extra speed)
The College may reccommend a particular make and model and they may also have a list of requirements, it might be a good idea to contact them in case they are trying to standardise the tools & equipment students use and you buy different gear.
I don't know if you use drawing instruments any more, it is such a long time since I was at College, maybe you do all your Drawing & Design on computer now, that is something else to check with the College.
They may send out a list of equipment shortly before you start or even the first week at College, so I would check with them before you go on a shopping spree.
I am sure you will require the usual pens, pencils, rubbers, paper (Lined & graph), rulers, folders, files, staplers, hole punches etc and a bag to carry them all to lectures.
If you wear glasses, prescription safety glasses may be a good idea, but I would wait and see how you get on with safety goggles on top of spectacles before you spend your money, and I expect you will have to provide your own safety boots and boilersuite for workshop time.

Big Pete

I think I slid a slide ruler once.
Lubricate with graphite, eh? Now that is a high speed processor!

I have a boyfriend who still uses a slide rule, you have to drag him kicking and screaming to a computer before he will use CAD. His view is that he has ratings for, to do the computer work for him

paper, pens, etc on the way to being sorted, calculator done (my world would fall apart without one!) Hadn't thought of safety specs. Being a specky git it was something that just hadn't crossed my mind. I do weak contact lenses for when I play sports so I may well try those first and see how I get on with those. Boots...stolen from my current job working for the ambulance service (safety boots as standard on the ambos) Boilersuit, brought and in use already. I didn't really fancy the idea of wearing some hairy arse blokes spare coveralls...or is that me just being too girly.

even better, have my time off work for my day release guranteed from work

Sounds like a good start then. Don't make your questions too hard, you'll have us pleading for mercy!

The "daft question" is the one which is never asked, so if a question is asked, it follows that it cannot be a "daft" question.