Do you remember how fun it was to go back-to-school shopping with your mom in second grade? You’d stroll through Target, school shopping list in hand, and pick out colorful scented gel pens, sparkly glue sticks, and plastic folders decorated with cuddly cat photos.
For some reason, back-to-college shopping just isn’t as fun. Personally, I think it has something to do with the fact that now we all opt for plain-colored binders instead of Lisa Frank. Plus, it also has to do with the fact that we no longer have a list. Instead of picking out fun versions of mandatory items (hello, crazy-cut scissors and stamp markers), we’re forced to guess what we’ll need for the semester.
As a college senior, I’ve had my fair share of failed school shopping experiences. As a freshman, I bought way too many items that I didn’t need. As a sophomore, I bought too few notebooks and pens. As a college senior, I’ve finally figured out through trial-and-error the basic school supplies every college student needs.
The fixed essentials:
Pens—blue, black and red  Â
  Fun fact: you’re more likely to remember something you wrote in blue than in black.
Pack of pencils
Fun fact: mechanical pencils now last 2.5 times longer than wood pencils.
Highlighters in assorted colors
Pro study tip: During your first reading, highlight info in one color. During your second reading, highlight the more important information in a different color. This way, you can find the more important points easier when you go back to study.
White-out
Because you will make mistakes in pen.
A big bag
So long as you have enough space to carry your notes, handouts, and textbooks to class, it doesn’t matter if this ends up being a classic backpack, an oversized purse, or a huge tote bag. I love LL Bean’s Deluxe Book Pack because it’s incredibly durable and fits all my textbooks nicely. However, many of my friends swear by big canvas totes or large Michael Kors purses, so just pick whatever works best for you!
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The flexible essentials:
When it comes to taking notes, different people prefer different things, so I’m not going to sit here and tell you that a binder and loose-leaf paper are better for note-taking than a 5-subject notebook with pockets. However, there are a few rules of thumb to follow when picking out your note-taking essentials:
Go for non-electronic
Many professors don’t allow students to use laptops in class because they’re distracting. Don’t depend on your laptop for notes because you may not be able to use it when needed.
You’ll need a lot of room
Different classes have different structures. As a freshman and sophomore, you’ll be taking more lecture-based classes, so you’ll need a lot of paper. A great customizable way to do this is to use a binder and loose-leaf paper because you can add as much paper as needed to a class. Notebooks are good too so long as they contain at least 70 pages.
Stay away from Velcro
There’s nothing more annoying to other class members than someone with a Velcro binder. That loud rip in the middle of class is distracting and unpleasant to the ears. If you opt for a binder, do everyone a favor and pick one with metal snaps instead of Velcro. Plus, gunk gets into Velcro easy, so if you don’t keep your backpack clean, that Velcro patch will quickly become a magnet for crumbs.
Pick something with paper and pockets
Professors love handouts. Nearly every professor will ask that you bring a paper copy of the syllabus to every class. Plus, when you get paper assignments or note handouts, you’ll need a place to store them. This is where folders and dividers come in handy. Make sure you have a separate folder or pocketed divider for each class, so you don’t get everything mixed up. Personally, I love using notebooks and folders together or binders with loose-leaf and pocketed dividers together, but it’s entirely up to you.
We hope this list helps you find all the products you need to do your best this semester. Remember, this is not an exhaustive or major-specific list. Rather, it’s meant to cover the basics for each semester. Whatever you end up buying, pick what works best for your individual needs!
Have suggestions or questions? Drop them in the comments below!