School Supply List for College: Essential Items You’ll Need
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Are you heading off to college for the first time? Congratulations! It’s an exciting time in your life. But before you can start enjoying all the fun college has to offer, there are a few things you’ll need to take care of – like getting your school supplies sorted out. This blog post will provide you with a comprehensive school supply list for college so that you can be prepared for anything the semester throws your way.
Oftentimes, college is the first time that students are away from home for an extended time. This is both an exciting and scary time. Being prepared with the proper school supply list for college students will make the adjustment period a bit easier.
Depending on how far away from home you are going to school, you may need to pack more than if you were closer to home. When you are closer to your home you can easily pick up things you may need. This school supply list for college also works with some tweaking for online classes.
Everyone thinks of things like bedding, and towels when packing for college. There is a lot more to school supplies for college students than that. There are many dorm room essentials you can choose from. Here is a list of a few of my favorite things for a school supply list for college.
Table of Contents
Essential school supply list for college ideas
Divider Sticky Notes
Index, comment, and color code these sticky notes to do it all. Divider Notes allow you to reference a page while leaving notes – but be careful not to get mixed up! You can also remove or reposition the note with ease thanks to its divider design that keeps things organized in your workspace. This is a unique item that is perfect for more than just school supplies for college students. I can see uses for it in my business.
Oxford Index Cards
Index cards are a fantastic useful tool for studying. You can use them to take notes, as a bookmark, and you can even make flashcards with them. This set is 500 ruled 3×5 index cards. One side is blank, and one side is lined. I have used these in my blogging business for notes as well.
Oxford Spiral Notebook Pack of 18
These fun and colorful notebooks are perfect for any occasion! With 18 different designs to choose from, there’s sure to be something that suits your style. With 18 different spiral notebooks, you can use one for each subject and have spare notebooks at the ready when you need them. These notebooks have college-ruled pages. The point behind creating a school supply list for college is to have everything you could possibly need already with you.
Reuseable Dry Ease Calendars
Reusable dry erase calendars are seriously one of the best school supplies for college students can have. Between juggling classes, study sessions, club meetings, and work shifts, it’s easy to lose track of what’s coming up. A dry erase calendar lets them map out their month in a way that’s easy to see at a glance, and they can quickly update it as plans change. Plus, it’s a one-time buy that can be used over and over again—way more budget-friendly than buying paper planners every semester. Whether they hang it on a dorm wall or keep it on a desk, it’s a simple tool that helps keep everything organized without the clutter.
BIC Brite Liner Highlighter
BIC Brite Liner Highlighters are a must-have for students who need to organize their notes or highlight text in books. These highly visible and functional highlighters allow you not only to color code your information but also to make it easier with its chisel tip that can be used for both broad highlightings as well precise underlining!
This set of highlighters is a box of 24 in a variety of colors. You can organize your notes in a variety of colors.
Laptop
Of course, you will need a laptop of some sort. If you need to purchase a new laptop for your college student but can’t be expensive. If you need to know what is a good laptop in your budget then check out this list of best laptops. This list has college students in mind.
Laptop Backpack
Speaking of laptops, of course, you will want a backpack to carry it around in. Traditional backpacks are not recommended to use for your laptop because it is not designed to protect your laptop. Laptop backpacks are usually padded and have a velcro strap to keep your laptop in place to prevent damage.
Microsoft Office
Does your child’s laptop have Microsoft Office installed on it? Microsoft Office is a must-have for any computer. Right now you can get a lifetime license for only $39.99. That is a savings of 82%! I could not live without Microsoft Office. I use it for both business and personal files.
Printer
A printer is a necessary college supply list item that you may not think of. Professors may allow you to submit papers digitally. Printing them out may also be necessary. It would help to print out information you need for a research paper as well instead of just having a bunch of computer tabs open. A printer can be used for more than just school work. I recommend an Epson Eco-Tank printer. The ink lasts a very long time. It prints in both black and white, and in color. Don’t forget to stock up on some printer paper too! You may want to pick up a mini stapler too so you can keep your printed pages together.
Binder
When you are making your school supplies checklist, don’t forget to think of the classics. Using a binder, three-hole punch, binder clips, and/or paper clips can help you stay organized. I love to use those supplies to create my own planner. You don’t want to forget the due dates of term papers or tests. Ballpoint pens are a must as well.
Tylenol Extra Strength 50 Pouches
We all get headaches from time to time. This is especially true if you are up all night studying and do not get enough sleep. Tylenol is a go-to for many when they have a headache or a minor ache and pain. These Tylenol pouches are perfect to throw in your backpack so you have them on hand no matter where you are on campus.
Pepto Bismol Chews
Along with headaches, stomaches happen occasionally as well. Especially for college students that do not eat the healthiest of diets. Pizza all the time anyone? Having a 3 pack of Pepto Bismol chews means you always have them on hand when you need them.
Band-Aid Adhesive Bandage Family Variety Pack
Cuts are another common ailment we suffer from. I know when I write a lot, I get blisters on my fingers and use band-aids to cushion my fingers. Having your own band-aids on hand will be convenient so you don’t have to go to the store or school nurse for one.
Mesh Shower Caddy
Of course, dorm rooms do not have their own bathrooms. You have to lug all of your shower supplies down the hall to the communal bathroom. Having a mesh shower caddy makes it easier to have all of your necessary personal hygiene products with you, and it is also a convenient way to store them in your room.
BedShelfie
Students sometimes study stretched out in bed late into the night. Especially when a big test is coming up. The BedShelfie attaches to a dorm bed and gives you a shelf or table of sorts. This allows you to have a drink or any other essential items at your fingertips while studying.
Personal Air Circulator Fan
You can not always control the temperature in a dorm room. If the student gets hot easily, you may need to purchase a personal fan.
The manual control provides you with easy adjustment options so that your comfort level can be dialed in. The swivel base allows for directional airflow wherever it’s needed most, while the head tilt ensures air isn’t wasted anywhere.
Lap Laptop Desk
A lap laptop desk is another great thing to have when studying in bed. It creates a desk for your laptop on your lap or your textbooks. I have used one of these for my laptop to use on the couch and they are beneficial. This lap laptop desk is not only a good school supply list for college, but it is also good for anyone that uses a computer a lot and has a chronic illness.
Power Strip Surge Protector
A surge protector is something you may not think of packing for college. It is, however, a much-needed item. You never know where the electrical outlet is in correlation to where you are working. A surge protector also helps to protect your electrical devices, such as your laptop from a power surge, or power outage.
Ramen Cooker Ramen Bowl Set
Ramen noodles are a college dorm staple. They are not only cheap, but they are also delicious! This ramen bowl set makes it a lot easier to cook your ramen noodles in the microwave.
This is definitely a unique school supply list for college that no one would think of but I feel is a must-have item.
Microwave Oven
Of course, you’ll need a microwave oven to make quick meals. You can’t use the ramen bowl set I mentioned above, without a microwave. You can heat up leftovers from anywhere with it, or make a quick breakfast on the go.
Dorm Refrigerator with Freezer
Having a mini refrigerator with a freezer in your dorm room allows you to store some basic snacks and drinks. I get thirsty a lot so I can’t imagine not having a cold beverage within arm’s reach at all times to quench my thirst. You may not think of this in your school supplies for college students but trust me, it will be used and loved.
Air Purifier
The 3-stage filtration system on this air purifier includes a pre-filter, HEPA, and activated carbon. This helps to effectively remove 99% or more of the smallest particles in your room’s atmosphere so you can breathe easily again.
The low-speed fan setting of this air purifier operates at a reduced noise level to make it ideal for bedrooms, so you can breathe easily and sleep peacefully. It also includes handy night light with adjustable brightness options!
Sleep mask headband with Bluetooth
You may have a different sleep schedule than your roommate. A sleep mask in general is a good idea. What I love about this particular sleep mask is that it is also Bluetooth. I have one similar to this, and I listen to my favorite relaxing music on Spotify to relax and fall asleep.
Underbed Storage Bag
Storage is always a premium in dorm rooms. You have to get creative sometimes to store your belongings. Having these underbed storage bags will help with storing a variety of items.
Bedside Caddy
Another option for having space on your bed is this bedside caddy. You can keep all of your small essential items in it. I’m thinking it would be perfect for your mouse, headphones, or even the Bluetooth headband I shared. This is a unique but helpful item for your school supply list for college.
Reusable Water Bottle
We all know how important it is to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. When you are in long classes, and traveling all over campus it can be difficult to stop and find a drink. Carrying your own reusable water bottle ensures you stay hydrated throughout the day.
External Hard Drives
External hard drives are a great computer accessory for anyone that does any type of work on a computer. I have one that I backup all of my work files onto. Using an external hard drive will ensure that college students’ work is backed up. They can also be used in computer labs if for some reason they do not have their own laptop with them. If you don’t want to lug an external hard drive around, a flash drive will work as well. Just keep in mind a flash drive can not hold as much as an external hard drive can.
If you are looking for other school supplies for college students, you can check out this printable college dorm checklist. This printable may contain some additional items not mentioned that are needed for the new school year.
College can be a daunting experience but having the right supplies can make it easier. As long as you have all the essential items listed here, you will be well-equipped for any college classroom. It is important to make sure that you have quality materials that will last throughout your entire schooling and that fit within your budget. Doing so will help make your college experience more manageable, enjoyable, and successful. College is an amazing opportunity to gain new experiences and knowledge which could potentially launch someone into many unique opportunities.
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