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12 Everyday Essentials to Carry Around Campus

composition book, two yellow pencils, and a green highlighter

Whether you commute to college or live in the dorms, there’s always a few keys everyday essentials you’ll need in order to be successful in college. These are the type of items that help you manage your time better throughout the day and boost your productivity.

 

With these items at your disposal, you’ll be prepared for the rigors of college life. Check out the 12 everyday essentials below so you know exactly what you need to achieve your goals in college.

Everyday Essentials

JanSport Big Student Backpack

Every student in college needs a spacious and reliable backpack. That’s why can’t go wrong with the JanSport Big Student. This backpack comes with loads of storage space, including two large main compartments, three front pockets, and a side pocket for your water bottle. 

 

The S-curve shoulder straps and padded back panel provide lots of comfort and stability. You can also check out the best backpacks for college students here.

YETI Rambler Water Bottle

The easiest way to stay hydrated throughout the day while in college is to carry a reusable water bottle. The best water bottles should not only keep your drinks cold all day long but also withstand daily wear and tear, which is way I recommend YETI water bottles.

 

YETI products are known for their quality and toughness. YETI’s Rambler water bottles are some of their most popular models because of their thick steel construction, double-wall vacuum insulation, and convenient drinking design.

Apple iPhone 14

Nowadays, every student needs a cell phone in college. Having one allows you to conveniently check your school emails, keep up with grades and assignments, perform research, and much more.

 

Overall, the iPhone 14 is one of the best phones for college students. Its features include a fast A15 Bionic processor, a 6.1-inch OLED display, and a durable aerospace aluminum construction. Additionally, it comes with up to 512GB of storage and dual 12MP rear cameras.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5

For the price, you’re not going to find a much better all-around laptop than the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5. The Ideapad comes with some awesome features, including a 10th Gen Intel i5 Processor, 128GB of storage, and a stunning 1920 x 1080 IPS touchscreen display. 

 

It even has 360-degree hinges so you can use it as a tablet. Lenovo also added in a webcam privacy shutter and finger print reader for added security.

Slip-On Vans Sneakers

Every college student needs a comfortable and stylish pair of shoes that they can wear around campus everyday. You can wear these slip-on Vans pretty much anywhere, and they’ll go with tons of different outfits because of the simple all-white design. They’re also very durable, so they should hold up well while you’re in college.

Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen

My absolute favorite pair of wireless earbuds are these Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen. I used them all the time in college while walking to class, working on assignments, or when I just wanted to jam out to my favorite music. They have active noise cancellation for immersive sound and a transparency mode for hearing and connecting with the world around you. 

 

Along with the earbuds, you’ll get three sizes of soft, tapered silicone tips for a customizable fit. The earbuds are sweat and water resistant. The wireless charging case delivers more than 24 hours of battery life.

Herschel Unisex Wallet

This stylish Hershel wallet is perfect for any student in college. The wallet is made in the USA and uses super durable materials. It has multiple card slots and a metal zippered pocket for cash and small items. There’s also a bunch of really cool colors available for the wallet, including several tie dye styles. 

BIC Mechanical Pencils

When I was in college, I always preferred pencils over pens. If you’re like me, then it’s a good idea to stock up on a few packs so you don’t run out anytime soon. My favorite pencils were always these BIC mechanical pencils. You can get them in big packs at a very affordable price, and the lead thickness is 0.7mm so it won’t break super easy.

Sharpie S-Gel Pens

If you’re more of a pen person, here’s a 12-pack of high-quality Sharpie pens that come in red, black, and blue ink colors. They’re very durable and great for your everyday note taking in class. Get these with a pack of the BIC pencils and you’ll have all the writing utensils you’ll ever need for college.

Five Star Notebooks

Those pens and pencils won’t do you much good if you don’t have any paper to write on. These Five Star notebooks are my personal favorite and they’re perfect for college. 

 

This pack of six has 100 sheets of college ruled paper in each notebook, so you’ll be able to take plenty of notes for all your courses. They also come with pocket page dividers and water-resistant covers. 

Five Star Binder

I definitely recommend having a durable binder like this Five Star one so you can keep any loose papers and study materials neatly organized. What’s awesome about this binder is that it has an expandable spine so you can get an extra inch of space to store more papers and supplies. It can hold up to 225 sheets of paper, and its slim design will easily fit in any college backpack.

Hootie Personal Keychain Alarm

It’s important for your safety to carry a self-defense item on you at all times, especially if you’re walking around campus late at night. If you get in a sketchy situation, all you have to do is pull the pin on the top of the Hootie Keychain Alarm

 

This will trigger the loud 130dB alarm that can be heard from 1000 feet away. It will also flash a bright LED strobe light to deter any attackers who try to harm you.

Bonus Items

Texas Instruments Scientific Calculator

You’re going to need a good scientific calculator for all your math courses in college. You also might need it for other courses, as well, so be sure you’re always prepared and invest in a scientific calculator. The one linked here is the calculator I used throughout high school and college, and it served me quite well over the years.

Healthy Snack Bars

Carrying a few healthy snack bars in your backpack will certainly be worth it if you didn’t have time to eat breakfast before class or need something quick to eat for lunch. Here’s a care package that comes with 66 healthy bars. It includes a variety of flavors from different brands, such as Nature Valley bars, Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain bars, Kashi bars, and more.

Umbrella

Walking around campus while it’s raining isn’t very fun. Investing in an umbrella saves you the trouble of getting completely soaked and sitting in wet clothes while you’re in class. On those bad weather days at college, you’ll definitely want to have an umbrella with you. 

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