If you’re a college freshman or headed back to college, you’ll need a few college school supplies. This is a list of the most important college school supplies every college student should get before going back to school.
This post is a list of college school supplies
What college school supplies do you need?
It’s safe to say college is not like high school. You don’t need as many school supplies, which is a total plus. That being said, there are some key items you should get to survive your college classes, stay organized, and make studying and keeping track of your college assignments way easier! This is a list of all the most essential college school supplies every college student needs.
20 Essential College School Supplies
#1 College Backpack
This one is a given. You’re going to need a college backpack when headed off to college. You’ll be doing a ton more walking at college than you did in high school, which is why it is important to get a backpack that is comfortable and supportive. That means no super thin straps. Otherwise, you’re going to end up with some sore shoulders walking back and forth across campus.
If you choose the right college backpack, it can last you all four years. Given I took good care of mine, the one I chose actually lasted me five years through grad school. The one I got is made by High Sierra which I totally recommend and linked below in case you want to get the same one.
#2 Laptop
Another one of those college school supplies that is a necessity is a laptop. You’ll be using this daily in college. Nowadays, everything is online. You’ll access all your college coursework, syllabuses, and assignments online. Also, most classwork you do will be online too.
You’ll need your laptop each day for classwork, completing assignments, studying, taking notes, and even taking tests. I have a Macbook which has lasted me 9 years and counting, so I have to recommend it. But, there are also some cheaper options that you can easily use.
#3 Laptop Case
Your laptop will easily be your biggest investment when it comes to essential college school supplies, which is why you need to protect it. Keep your laptop safe as you move about campus with a laptop case or cover.
This way you keep it in good shape and decrease the chances of it getting broken or damaged. Definitely a must-have to add to your college school supplies list.
#4 iPad and iPad Pen
Another college essential that so many students find useful is an iPad. An iPad makes it incredibly convenient to take notes and study. It’s also way lighter to carry to class each day than lugging around a laptop. That being said, it is an investment. And while it can make keeping track of assignments, studying, and doing classwork way easier, you don’t absolutely need this.
One of the best perks of an iPad is that you can use a stylist to write out your notes. When you write things down, it can help you retain the information better and improve your learning so it can be a total plus since you’ll have to type all your notes with a laptop.
#5 A Few Folders
While most things are all online in college, you will still have paper handouts. You may also find yourself printing out study materials or project materials. An easy way to stay organized and keep track of what assignments go with what classes are with a few folders.
No, you don’t need to go overboard and get a folder for every class at the beginning of school. A few should work for most people. Then, you can wait until the first week of school to figure out if you want or need more. I found that a few folders helped keep my learning and study materials much more organized in college.
#6 A Notebook
Yes, you heard that. A single notebook. You do not need one for every class. I always used a notebook to write out my notes and jot down important points during class since it helped me retain the information better by writing it down. This won’t work for everyone though, and some people may just want to stick with their laptop for notes.
Also, despite us being in a technology era, there are always some professors who don’t like laptops out in class. I had at least one of them every semester. It’s annoying, especially if you like taking notes on your computer. But, if you have a small notebook, you can easily jot down important class points still.
#7 Pens and Pencils
Yes, pens are another no-brainer but something that you will use all the time in college. Stock up on pens before the start of the semester so you can be prepared. A pack or two should do. You’ll use them to take tests and do classwork so make sure you have enough.
#8 Pencil Case
Another important item to put on your college school supplies list is a pencil case. You won’t want to keep all your miscellaneous items floating around in your bag. Make organization easier for yourself by getting a pencil case to keep all your pens, pencils, and small miscellaneous items you’ll need for class.
#9 Index Cards
When it comes to college, you’ll be doing way more studying than you probably ever have done. Index cards make studying for tests way easier. You can write down terminology to quickly memorize different class material. They’re convenient and come in handy when trying to memorize a whole lot of information in a short period of time.
#10 Highlighters
Another item worth bringing to college are highlighters. These are another item you will use all the time while studying. They make going over your notes and emphasizing important information way easier. You’ll also use them all the time when reading (which there is a lot of in college) to highlight key points.
#11 Wite-Out
You’ll be printing out tons of papers in college. I had to do this on a weekly basis it felt like. But, if you make a mistake and don’t have Wite-Out, you’ll have to print your papers out all over again. This can add up since most students have a specific printing budget they are allotted each semester.
Wite-Out can definitely be a lifesaver during crunch time when you need to fix a couple of simple mistakes in your papers, projects, or assignments before turning them in.
#12 An Accordion Folder or Binder
If you want to stay organized, another one of the most helpful college school supplies to do this is an accordion folder or binder. This will make filing old tests, quizzes, assignments, or classwork much easier. This way you can keep new assignments and handouts in your folders and all the older stuff from past units or completed work archived all in one place.
#13 Basic Desk Supplies
If you’re living in a dorm or college apartment, desk supplies are a must. These include all the miscellaneous items such as a stapler, tape, scissors, etc. This way you can keep your desk organized and have all you need to complete classwork and projects in a pinch.
#14 Flash Drive
Next up on this list of must-have college school supplies is a flash drive. Since you’ll be using your laptop all the time, you won’t want to save everything on it. This can quickly slow your laptop down which can be a pain. To avoid this and to make sure all your important work is backed up, keep your assignments on a flash drive.
A flash drive will make it easy to keep track of work, keep it safe with a back up, and ensure your laptop continues to run smoothly by reducing the amount of storage space you’re taking up.
#15 Planner
Last up on the list of essential college school supplies is a planner. I would not have been able to stay on top of all my work, assignments, and extracurriculars without a planner in college. It easily kept my life together and helped me avoid missing any important due dates. In college, most professors won’t remind you more than once of important due dates.
It’s your job to keep track of them, stay on top of work, and keep track of when you have tests. They’ll give you the syllabus, but trying to keep track of all the dates on them from all your classes can be a bit tedious. A planner will help you transfer all the important due dates from your syllabuses to keep them in one place and to keep track of important assignments and work. It’s a definite must-have.
When you have all the college essentials you need, it’ll make getting through your first semester back to college way easier! Make sure to bring these must-have college school supplies to guarantee a smoother semester, stay organized, and stay on top of your college assignments.
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