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Preparing for college can be overwhelming, but with our comprehensive list of the best school supplies for college, you’ll be ready to tackle any academic challenge with ease.
Make going back to school simple this year with all the right tools you’ll need.
Don’t worry, our college school supply list won’t break the bank. Every item is budget-friendly or well worth the upfront investment.
Keep in mind that your back to school list for college will differ from high school.
The good thing is that it’s shorter. You don’t need as many supplies as you did in secondary school.
Fewer classes require items you can reuse repeatedly for the semesters to follow. One thing you’ll love about college classes is that you can bring your tech gadgets to class.
That’s right! Phones, laptops, cameras, and tablets are no longer forbidden.
Being a college student grants you the autonomy to do what you please in class as long as you’re responsible.
Taking pictures of the class presentation, writing digital notes on an iPad or laptop are great ways to improve your academic performance.
Just make sure you’re not disrupting the professor or distracting your classmates, but more importantly, that you’re paying attention, goal-friends!
Don’t be a slacker this semester. We’ve got all the right supplies for you to ace all your classes in the new school year!
Should I get school supplies for college?
Purchasing college school supplies before the semester or quarter starts is absolutely necessary. Professors still list course materials on the syllabus for each class.
Yes, you need more than just course ebooks and textbooks.
The days of skating by with an empty backpack and one folder are long gone. You’ll need organizational tools for your course materials to stay on top of your academic studies.
A weekly planner is vital for this very reason. Asking to borrow books, loose leaf paper, and writing tools won’t cut it this time around.
Most college students aren’t well off financially, and they may not have extra school supplies to spare.
As a young adult, you’re responsible for purchasing all the college school supplies needed for each of your courses.
There isn’t a universal list to reference, and you may not have access to the school supplies your mother once kept at home.
In addition, you need more than just cute dorm supplies to survive college.
Your academic performance is reliant on your preparedness for class.
Textbooks, online resources, and a flash drive only scratch the surface. The ability to study effectively matters the most.
If you’re failing academically, but excelling socially and thriving in your extra-curricular activities, you need to revisit your purpose for enrolling.
School supplies are essential for your academic success. Aside from individual course requirements, there are school supplies for college that will cover your basic needs.
What does every college student need?
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20 Best School Supplies For College
1. Laptop
A portable computer that you can carry with you to class and leave in your dorm will be an investment piece for college.
Sure, you can use the resources on your college campus, like media labs and library computers, but there are so many other advantages of having a laptop you can pack away on the go.
You can use it to write research papers, surf the web with free Wi-Fi, take notes in class, and back up all of your documents on one hard drive.
Add a laptop to your graduation gift list or save up for it with a summer job. Trust me, it’s worth the price.
2. Tablet and stylus pen
If you’re not a classic pen and notebook girl, switch things up this semester with a tablet and stylus pen.
It’s the best light-weight companion for iPad girlies in their digital era. Take notes, study, create graphic designs, and plan your day all at once with one small device.
3. Graphic Calculator
You can never go wrong with a Texas Instruments calculator to solve all your math problems in college.
They are compact, reliable geniuses in your pocket that will outlast your college career. The calculators come equipped with tons of functions that are used in college-level math courses and statistics, too.
You don’t have to be a math wiz or science major to need a calculator. They serve more than just one need.
Don’t forget to add this one to your cart, goal friends!
4. Noise Canceling Headphones
When it’s crunch time and you just need a little more quiet time to study, noise canceling headphones will do the job.
Whether you’re on a bus, sitting in a crowded classroom, or at a local cafe, you’ll be able to control the volume of whatever space you’re in.
These headphones are perfect for keeping your focus while completing assignments, taking a mental break, and living with noisy roommates. Kiss all of those unwanted disruptions goodbye!
5. College ruled spiral notebook
Yes, notebooks are still a thing. It’s better to buy in bulk so that you can have a few to last you for the rest of the academic year.
You’ll need a notebook for each subject, and don’t forget any academic and social clubs, too.
College-ruled notebook paper may have smaller spaces to write in, but this allows for more notes to be taken per class. Keep that in mind.
6. Academic Planner
Writing your assignments down on a scrap sheet of paper won’t suffice in college.
Time management is a skill you will develop overtime, but there will be ample opportunity to perfect it by keeping track of your homework assignments and creating a study schedule.
Academic planners will be the best option. Many planners include sections that allow you to plan out each month, respond to journal prompts, and follow habit trackers for self care.
It’s a must-have for college school supplies.
7. Highlighters
Remember those boring highlighters that only came in an assortment of three neon colors in a pack?
And they were chunky and uncomfortable to hold?
Well, thankfully, there are highlighters that will make study time a little more fun and less of a chore.
With different sizes, pen tips, and hundreds of colors to choose from, you can interact with your course material during study time in a more engaging way.
8. Pen Case
No, this isn’t your ordinary pencil pouch from elementary school.
There are so many styles, cool designs, and various types of pen and pencil cases to choose from in today’s market for school supplies.
They are roomy enough to store all of your writing tools, erasers, rulers, calculators, and your lip gloss, too.
But you’ll need to venture outside of the aisles of your local supermarket to stand out in class. Amazon and Etsy have some of the best college school supplies to choose from.
If you want to be ‘that girl’ next year, make sure your accessories for school are stylish, too.
9. 2-pocket folders
Trapper keepers may be a thing of the past, but standard 2-pocket folders are still a must-have.
Stay organized this upcoming semester with durable folders that will keep your important documents secure and course handouts all in one place.
10. Portable Wireless Charger
Yes, portable chargers for your cell phone have officially made the college school supply list.
Whether you live on and off campus, your cell phone will need some juice.
Sometimes, lugging around your charger from home and looking high and low for an outlet isn’t possible when you’re rushing between classes.
Invest in a portable charger that will come in handy both in and outside of the classroom.
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11. Dry-Erase Markers
Group projects and studying heavy material can get intense when finals roll around.
Dry erase boards allow students to visualize any concepts they need to learn. Dorm rooms may not have enough space for large white boards, so using a classroom on-campus for group study sessions is more practical.
It helps to have your own markers on hand. You never know when you may need them.
12. Pencils
Are both mechanical and regular number pencils really necessary?
Yes! You don’t have to be enrolled in a math or art class to need them, either. Hobbies exist outside of school.
Pencils have a variety of uses, so if you’re into sketching, drawing art, or don’t prefer pens, keep them in your school supply arsenal.
13. Notecards
Index cards will change the way you study, but in a good way.
They are perfect for the recall studying method or learning important terms and concepts with a friend.
Reading material over and over won’t always suffice. You’ll increase the chances of acing every exam when you incorporate notecard or index cards into your weekly study routine.
14. Expanding File Folders
College students have more responsibilities.
Adulting may not be the highlight of college life, but someone has to do it. Keeping important bills, personal documents, and financial aid information organized is key.
Most college students work part-time jobs or work-study through their financial aid packages.
Records from doctor appointments, vehicle insurance, and leases for off-campus apartments all need to be stored.
Expanding file folders are compact, convenient, and easy to lock away.
15. Post It Sticky Notes
Sticky notes are essential for daily reminders and mini brain dumps.
When you are assigned a large project, sticky notes can keep you on task and you can easily put them in places like the refrigerator, bathroom mirrors, and books where they are easy to see.
They’re an alternative option for planner girls who want visible weekly schedules or a step-by-step daily routine.
16. Ball-Point Pens
Of course, you’ll need an ample amount of pens. There’s not much to say here. Just make sure you purchase a quality pen that will last for the academic year.
Purchasing an assortment of colors will help with color coding your course notes as well. As long as you have red, blue, and black pens, you’re all set.
17. Wireless Bluetooth Headphones
Sometimes when you’re working out at the gym, walking around campus, or riding in an Uber, you just want to zone out.
College campuses can be loud and overcrowded at certain times throughout the day.
Find your favorite spot to chill or a corner in the dorm hall where you can listen to a podcast or audiobook with your headphones and no distractions.
18. Phone Lock Box
Not picking up your phone every few minutes requires discipline.
Smartphones are little sidekicks that connect us to the people we love, keep us abreast of current events, and entertain us daily.
However, they aren’t very helpful when you’re in study mode. Learning new information means you need to stay focused.
When your phone is your biggest distraction, locking it away will shave hours off of your study time.
19. Visual Study Timer
In college, 15-20 minute sprints of studying for each class right before exams won’t cut it.
We don’t accept cramming over here, goal-friends. Put a study routine in place at the beginning of the semester and stick to it.
Add a visual timer to your college school supply list instead of relying on your phone or laptop for alarms.
Keep all gadgets tucked away as much as you can when it’s study time. Old school timers are a lifesaver.
20. Waterproof Backpack
Classes rarely get canceled in college.
You’ll need a spacious, durable backpack that will withstand all the wear and tear from traveling around campus in inclement weather, and lugging around heavy textbooks.
Make sure it’s roomy enough to hold any daily essentials you may need.
How many notebooks do I need for college?
The amount of notebooks you need will depend on how many courses you take for the academic year and your note-taking habits.
For more challenging courses, I’d recommend at least two one-subject notebooks at the minimum, or a three or five subject notebook for similar college courses.
Consider buying a few extra notebooks for extra-curricular activities, and using one of them as a journal to document your college student journey.
How do college students afford stuff?
- Apply for scholarships and financial aid
- Work-study programs
- Attend community college for the first two years
- Take advantage of in-state tuition
- Live at home to save on housing
- Rent or buy used textbooks
- Get a part-time job
- Create a budget
- Apply for grants
- Negotiate tuition
- Consider online courses
- Choose a college with good financial aid
- Take advantage of tax credits
- Use a 529 plan
- Get a tuition waiver
- Co-op programs
- Employer tuition assistance
- Take AP courses in high school
- Military service
There are countless ways to earn extra cash for college.
Financial aid offers grants and federal loans to apply to your tuition.
Parents may assist with providing housing or covering some of the cost for your rental apartment.
Money from work-study programs and part-time jobs can be used for personal expenses. Preparing financially for college years in advance will help with affording it after graduation.
Come up with a detailed plan for funding your undergraduate or graduate programs. Select the best options that work for you and your family’s financial needs.
When you’re out shopping for the best school supplies for college, keep this list in mind and thank me later.
I teach entrepreneurs how to simplify their life and business with less + own their time and maximize productivity towards their personal and monetary goals.
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