While you’re probably excited for college so you can meet new people, explore the world, and finally create the dorm room of your dreams, you can’t take your eye off the prize: your degree. Going to college will help you decide how you want to spend the rest of your life — which can be overwhelming — but you’ll also be able to learn more about your approach to academics and learning.
Regardless of your major or career aspirations, showing up to class prepared with cute (and functional!) school supplies can boost your motivation for the semester ahead. Making the transition from high school to college also means that you’re getting a chance to rebrand your style and aesthetic, which can be really exciting (hello, fun stickers!). These go-to class supplies to bring to college with you will be your best friends when working on homework, studying for midterms and finals, and suffering through all-nighters with your besties. If you use them right, you’ll be able to stay on track for all of your exams and assignments, and pass your classes in style.
Pens
Whether you’re studying STEM, humanities, or something in between, you’re going to need note-taking supplies that make class bearable and studying fun. Bring some brightly-colored pens to your 8 a.m. lecture to keep you excited and motivated.
12-Pcs Ball Point Pens, WY WENYUAN, $7
Pencils
Need to erase something? No biggie. These cute, sassy pencils will let you make mistakes, and they have a message that’ll fit your mood in class.
I Literally Can’t Even Inspirational Pencils, Fresh Prints of CT, $9
Highlighters
Accentuate your notes with colorful highlighters to make sure you’re focusing on the important points.
Write On Highlighter Set, ban.do, $13
Pencil case
You can fit all of those things I just mentioned in this adorable pencil case, which is the perfect size to bring to class.
Pencil Makeup Case, Sonia Kashuk, $9
Planner
The hardest thing about college is staying organized, and there’s no better way to get all your ducks in a row than by writing out all your to-do lists and upcoming events. Consider getting a vibrant planner that has all the space you need to organize your life.
Weekly Undated Planner — Progress Not Perfection, ban.do, $25
Notebooks
Make sure that you have some small notebooks for your class notes, study guides, and everything in between.
Spiral Notebook 3 Pack, Irmanas, $10
Page flags
To make sure you can reference back to your textbook readings during a study sesh, grab some cat page flags to mark important sections.
Hungry Cat Page Flags, ban.do, $6
Binder
If you’re finding that a notebook isn’t enough for class, this floral binder will definitely do the trick.
Decorative Hardcover 3-Ring Binder, Steel Mill & Co, $18
Hole puncher
Speaking of binders, if you want to keep class worksheets, syllabi, or other important documents all in one place, a three-hole puncher like this one will make sure you can put them all through the rings and keep everything in one place.
3 Ring Hole Puncher For Binders, WORKLION, $8
File folder
Every now and then, you’ll receive a piece of paper that’s pretty important to have on hand, like a ticket to your friend’s show you definitely can’t lose. Regardless of what it is, you’ll need a safe place to put it, and there’s nowhere better than a cute file folder.
Get It Together File Folder, ban.do, $23
Stickers
If you feel like your notebook or water bottle could use a little personality to make you more excited for class, invest in a pack of unique stickers to spice it up.
400pcs Inspirational Stickers For Water Bottles, LIFEBE, $14
Backpack
Finally, make sure to get the perfect backpack to fit your laptop, books, and anything else you need in your day to day life. (Trust me, after a semester of walking all over campus to your classes, you’ll want one with two shoulder straps.)
Heritage Backpack, Herschel, $65