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5 School Supply Favorites, As Told by a College Girl

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Illinois State chapter.

Do you remember in elementary school when it would be your turn to go to the school store? Would you search for cool erasers or smencils? This was one of my favorite times! Another experience with school supplies that was always fun for me was school book fairs, I could not help but gravitate towards all the cool school supplies after picking out my books. One of my favorite times of the year is school shopping! I love the feeling of opening that new pack of pens, turning the page on a fresh notebook, and even writing in the first important dates into my planner. I think the key to success in the school year is setting yourself up with the right materials, and I am here to suggest some of my favorites to you. Some of the items that I suggest are items that I found this year, and some are items that I have found in my early years of elementary school! 

 

1. Pilot FriXion Clicker Erasable Pens

PILOT FriXion Clicker Erasable, Refillable & Retractable Gel Ink Pens
PILOT / Amazon

 

I am in love with these pens! Not only are they gel and write beautifully, but they erase. I also believe that they are the pens that are compatible with the scannable notebooks! Maybe it is the teacher in me, but it is so comforting to know that if I make a mistake I can erase them with such ease. Amazing!

 

2. Zebra Pen Mildliner – Double Ended Highlighters

Zebra Pen Mildliner, Double Ended Highlighter, Broad and Fine Tips
Zebra Pen / Amazon

If you are someone who loves their notes super neat and aesthetic, then these are perfect for you. Not only do they come in pastel colors, but they are double-ended! One side is a highlighter tip and the other side looks like a thin Crayola marker tip. They are good to write titles with, highlighting key words, and underlining important information!

 

3. Paper Mate Black Pen

Paper Mate Write Bros Ballpoint Pens
Paper Mate / Amazon

 

This is a super basic school supplies item – so reliable. There is not much to say about this item except that it writes smooth, rarely smudges, and is super thin! I go back and forth between liking regular ink and liking gel ink pens. This pen is a cheap must have!

 

4. Paper Mate Profile Retractable Bold Ballpoint Pens (1.4mm) – 12 pack

Paper Mate Ballpoint Pen
Paper Mate Store / Amazon

Behold! The best-colored pens around! Paper mate is obviously my go-to! Amazon is actually having a 50% off sale off a lot of school supplies right now, and this item is one of them! Go check it out. These pens are so good for taking notes and organizing your planner! If you can not tell, I have a strong love for pens!

 

5. Academic Year Planner

a photo of an open planner
Free-Photos | Pixabay

A key to a year of academic success for me is being organized. I believe that when all of my notes are in a row, dates are written out, and things are color-coded it is almost impossible for me to take a wrong turn. The planners I use are the Blue Sky- teacher planner and the Blue Sky- Mia Chavro planner. I highly recommend both. 

Madison Zoot

Illinois State '21

Future Educator! <3
Contributor account for Illinois State