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Essential College Supplies All Students Need
Whether you’re a current college student with only a few semesters left or getting ready to go into your freshman year, there’s few must-have supplies you’ll need to thrive in all your courses and get your work done on time. These supplies will come in handy for taking notes, staying organized, completing assignments, and much more.
They will also help you stay productive and prepared for all your classes so you don’t fall behind in a fast-paced college environment. I recommend adding these essential college supplies to the rest of your everyday carry gear so you can boost your academic performance.
Mechanical Pencils
I’ve been using BIC mechanical pencils for years going all the way back to middle school and then into college. After all those years, they’re still my go-to choice for pencils. They’re very reliable and perfect for taking notes in class.
Also, with a pack of 40, they might be the only pencils you need to buy for awhile. They’re the best selling mechanical pencils for reason, so if you’re in need of some durable pencils for college, these mechanical ones are always a good choice.
Flash Cards
These convenient little pieces of paper are great to use when studying for quizzes and exams. Flash cards help you study more efficiently by breaking up complex information into manageable parts.
They also allow for active engagement, repetition, and self-assessment, which are very important for comprehending information you need to know. This pack of 300 with assorted colors will be able to last several semesters.
Highlighters
Highlighters are a vital part of college supplies. They can help you emphasize key points in your notes, textbooks, and other reading material. This way, it’s easier to pinpoint specific details that are important to study for future exams. They save you time when revising and editing papers, as well.
Pens
Pens are without a doubt a fundamental part of college supplies and a huge part of a student’s academic success. Whether it’s jotting down notes in class, filling out your weekly planner, or solving math equations, pens are the ultimate tool for college. This pack of 30 fine point gel pens will ensure you’re always stocked up throughout college.
Backpack
Carrying all your college supplies around campus everyday would be impossible without a spacious backpack to store everything in. There’s many high-quality backpacks that will perform well in a college environment, but if I had to recommend one, it would be the Nomatic 14L Backpack.
In total, the Nomatic has 20 pockets and a main compartment with multiple padded sleeves and pockets. The exterior of the bag is water resistant and can even expand from 14 liters to 17 liters. Also, its durable construction will allow you to use it for many decades to come.
Binder
An easy way to keep all your papers and documents organized, sorted, and easily accessible is with a heavy-duty binder. This is particularly useful in college where you’re juggling multiple subjects with different requirements.
Having one or two of these to use daily can be a huge life saver. With everything in one place, you’ll reduce your stress and be able to manage your time more efficiently.
Binder Clips
Binder clips sometimes get overlooked, but they play an integral role in keeping your academic materials organized. Despite the digital age, many college tasks still require hard copies of different documents — research materials for academic papers, college forms, and lecture notes.
Luckily, binder clips ensure all your college papers stay secure and tidy at all times. They’re also inexpensive, reusable, and take up very little space in your backpack.
File Organizer
If you have a lot of papers to keep organized that won’t all fit in your binder, you can use a file organizer for more storage. With a file organizer, you can keep your extra notes, assignments, and documents neatly sorted, which will ensure you don’t lose crucial information or waste time searching for missing papers.
Spiral Notebooks
If you prefer the more classic style spiral notebooks, then you’ll definitely need a pack to use in college for all your note taking. This pack of three have durable plastic covers and come with 100 sheets of college ruled paper that resist ink smearing and bleed through.
Laptop
One of the most important items to own in college, a laptop gives you access to an endless amount of online resources to help you succeed in your academics. Head over to my Amazon storefront and click on tech and entertainment to see a list of my favorite laptops for college students.
Calculator
I used this exact calculator all throughout high school and college, and it made my life a whole a lot easier. It’s a professional-grade scientific calculator with a solar powered battery that can perform calculations for a variety of different math courses, from your more basic ones to advanced calculus and statistics courses.
Sticky Notes
You can never go wrong with having a supply of sticky notes in college. These colorful tools can make a real difference in your academics, acting as reminders for deadlines, assignments, and even adding a pop of color to your study materials.
Don’t underestimate how helpful sticky notes can be when prioritizing tasks and keeping track of important deadlines.
Storage Pouch
Every student can benefit from having a multifunctional storage pouch. It provides a secure and convenient place to store all your supplies and keeps everything neatly organized at all times. The one seen here has has a large capacity, so it can store anything from pens and pencils to notes and electronics.
USB Flash Drive
While you might not use it all the time, a USB flash drive still serves as a useful tool to have and makes a good addition to the rest of your college supplies.
A flash drive is essentially a safe house for all your academic work. Whether it’s an assignment, a research paper, or a presentation, a flash drive allows you to carry your work wherever you go, ensuring that you’re always prepared.
It’s also useful for transferring files between computers or sharing information with classmates. Plus, in the event of technical issues with your computer or laptop, having back-up files on a flash drive can be a lifesaver.
Earbuds
College can be a very distracting environment, which is why every student should own a pair of headphones or earbuds so they can focus on their studies anywhere around campus without getting distracted.
Additionally, earbuds ensure you don’t bother your roommates or keep them up at night when you’re listening to music in your dorm. Whether you prefer headphones or earbuds, look for ones will a long battery life and have noise-cancelling technology.
Book Tabs
Book tabs act as guides, helping you read through textbooks and notes efficiently. With book tabs, you’ll save yourself valuable time by being able to quickly find key chapters or specific information. They also allow you to categorize and prioritize your study materials in a way that suits your learning style.
Rocketbook Fusion Plus
The Fusion Plus takes the best parts of a notebook and a planner and combines them into one. But what makes the Fusion Plus even more special is its ability to combine cloud-based document storage and traditional note-taking.
Through the Rocketbook app, you can scan whatever you write down and upload it to various cloud applications. This means everything in the notebook can be stored digitally and accessed at anytime.
And once you’ve uploaded your notes, you can wipe the pages clean with a damp cloth because all 60 pages are completely reusable. It also comes with 11 different page templates, including calendar pages, to-do lists, note-taking layouts, graphs, and more
Stapler
Similar to binder clips, a stapler helps you keep all your papers organized and intact. When you’re working on a big paper and have a bunch of research materials, it’s really nice having a stapler to keep everything together and neatly sorted.
This way, you don’t have to worry about anything getting mixed up. And lets be honest, this exact stapler is one of the coolest college supplies you’ll ever own.
Water Bottle
The benefits of staying hydrated everyday can’t go understated — from improving cognitive function to boosting energy levels, proper hydration is one of the keys to being successful in college. A convenient way to increase your daily water intake is by using a water bottle.
It’s a simple, yet effective tool for promoting a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle while enhancing academic performance. That’s why a water bottle is such a valuable addition to your college supplies.
My personal favorite is the Hidrate Spark Pro. You can track water intake by using the HidrateSpark App. Once connected, you’ll be able to track your daily hydration levels and fitness goals. The water bottle also has a location tracking feature and a sensor that glows to remind you when it’s time to drink.
