25 College School Supplies Must Haves In Order To Be Successful In College!

Last Updated on March 6, 2023 by Corynn

It’s back to school season and you’re getting prepared to go off to college. Although you’re not sure what items you need in order to be successful in your first year of college. Here is a college school supplies must haves you can follow while going back to school shopping.

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This blog post is about college school supplies must haves

What Are Some School Supplies Needed For College?

Here is a list of items that helped me while I was in college and things I wish I added to my back to school shopping list.

Even after high school you will still need to be using pencils. For example on exams, your professors may only want you using pencils to write with.

finding a good bag for college is crucial for a college student. you to have a backpack that can carry all of your belongings throughout the day.

Click here to read more about the items you should be having inside of your college backpack.

You can use Highlighters for studying and taking notes.

Going along side with the pencils. Great for writing exams and fixing any mistakes you have.

I highly suggest grabbing a notebook for each class you have for the year. Even if you don’t use the notebook, is always nice to be prepared if you need to write anything down in that particular class.

Even though we live in a very technology driven world, you will still receive a lot of paper from your professors, college, and possibly need a place to hold your printed copy assignments in.

If you feel like folders are not for you, purchase a binder. Binders can hold a lot more paperwork and with dividers, they can keep your assignments all organized.

Sticky notes are by far my favourite thing to use. Even after being in college. You can use sticky notes for reminders, additional class notes, and to leave a message for your roommate.

Want to know the best item that can help you study? It’s index cards.

Index cards are by far the most important thing you should add onto your college supplies list. you can use these to remember terms, study notes, and you can make flashcards to help you with studying.

You can purchase index cards with lines and/or different colors for each class.

Purchase different types of pens, and here’s why.

You will be writing A LOT in college. So you want to find the perfect pen that you can write easily with. I would purchase a set of black and blue pens.

I have listed the blue pens I used in college. I still use them today with my everyday lifestyle.

They’re lightweight, last a very long time, and have a smooth feeling to them when you write.

To fix any mistakes you made in pen.

The wite-out paint is super easy to use rather than the tape version. Only because the tape unravels so poorly.

Sticky tabs are great to keep track and separate documents in binder and folders.

One thing I really wish I had in college were blue light lenses. I was staring so much on my laptop that my eyes began to hurt.

Blue light lenses help so much from straining your eyes from the blue light screens on your laptop and phone.

A place to put all of your writing utensils in.

To save your assignments and any extra documents.

In college you’re going to be presenting a lot. One thing I found super useful was carrying around a HDMI cord on presentation days. The amount of college classes that didn’t have HDMI cords were insane.

If you’re in a math class, you will need to purchase a calculator rather than using your phone.

Sometimes your professors have a no phone policy, or your classes involves you using an advance calculator. In addition, exams are a big no no for phone usage; even if it’s to use your phone calculator.

TIP: prior to purchasing a calculator, looking into your classroom supplies requirement list before purchasing one in advance. Sometimes your professor may want you using a certain brand based on the curriculum.

Want to organize your college classes and daily life? Purchase a planner! I used a planner throughout my entire college career and I never missed any deadlines.

Not sure how to use a weekly planner effectively? Check out my blog post here on how you can use a weekly planner!

To keep your hands clean at all times from touching multiple doors and tables.

While I was going to college, my school was just starting to introduce efficient ways to use less plastic. So they installed water bottle stations.

It was great for me to refill my water bottle and spend way less money on a plastic water bottles. The water bottle I use is Simple Modern.

Keep your drinks cold for 12 hours and plus they come in super cute colors.

To hole punch your papers to help put inside of your binder.

Having to submit an assignment in person yet you don’t want it to get ruined? Grab some sheet protectors! I used sheet protectors for my essays and they basically looked like I just printed them off.

To listen to music in the study halls without disturbing your peers.

The the holy grail of it all, a mini stapler. The amount of times myself and my friends needed to staple something and we didn’t have a stapler on hand. We finally invested in a mini stapler and it helped us so much in college.

25. Laptop

Lastly, a laptop. You want to look for a laptop that you can use for; classroom work, studying, completing assignments, online classes and more. Here is a list of laptops college students commonly get:

Macbook

Chromebook

Microsoft Surface

HP

Dell

Some college programs have a list of laptops that are required that you use. For instance, some programs require you to not use a Macbook. You can find this information on your college website and as you go further along in your school enrollment journey.

Still need help figuring out what you need for your dorm room? Check out our blog post of over 40 dorm room essential items you need as a freshman!