30 College School Supplies Every Student Should Have

We're partial to these BIC ballpoint pens because they don't smudge the way some inky pens do. However, if you want to give off an air of sophistication when it comes to stationery, these Muji ones are also a great option.

If you're equipped with the best planner to keep everything organized, you're definitely going to need some assorted gel pens, maybe even some glitter ones. After all, how else will others be envious of you?

There are few things worse than highlighting something only to realize you can no longer read what was underneath because the ink was too powerful. But fear not, these BIC highlighters have translucent ink that emphasizes what's important on the page without concealing the highlighted text.

What good is owning all of the cute college school supplies if you don't have a chic home for them to reside in? We recommend a well-made mesh pencil bag because it allows you to easily see everything without having to fumble around in the dark like your mom searching for her car keys in the rain.

What good is owning all of the cute college school supplies if you don't have a chic home for them to reside in? We recommend a well-made mesh pencil bag because it allows you to easily see everything without having to fumble around in the dark like your mom searching for her car keys in the rain.

What are the key factors that contributed to the outbreak of World War I, and how did it impact global politics and society? Don't know? You're going to need some neon flashcards—they're even ruled on one side for easy note-taking.

With a busy course load to manage, along with extracurriculars and a social calendar, we don't blame you if you sometimes have no idea where your papers are. Simplify your life by equipping yourself with a reliable, water-resistant two-pocket folder, complete with stay-put tabs and prong fasteners.

Whether you've known your major since the day you were born or you've changed your mind multiple times, you're going to need a good notebook. This six pack from Five Star is perfect, featuring assorted colors to easily identify each subject, thick paper to prevent ink bleed-through, and a water-resistant cover to protect your notes.

Unlike the bulky binders of years past, this sleek option from Five Star features patented rings that allow you to easily add or remove up to 200 sheets of paper. It also comes in eight different shades so you aren’t limited to the neutrals.

If you want to elevate your note-taking game, you may want to consider a Rocketbook notebook. It's a reusable 36-page, erasable, lined spiral notebook that allows you to write, scan, and then wipe away your notes. Best of all, all your notes save to the Rocketbook app, and you can even use AI to scan through them.

Because dog-earing your books is so last year…these post-it tabs come in six eye-catching colors and are durable enough that you can write on them without worrying that they'll fall or tear off.

Sometimes you just need to see the words—Floss! Call mom! Eat dinner!—on brightly colored, recyclable paper. These post-it notes have double the sticking power, so you truly have no excuse but to take notice of them.

There are people who walk through life without a planner, having everything neatly organized in their minds, and if you’re one of those people, kudos to you! However, we need a little extra help and consider a planner one of the most useful things for school students.

If it feels like your laptop is permanently attached to your body, that's normal, as it's probably the number one item on the freshman college supply list. Make your life a bit easier and protect your precious cargo with a laptop backpack that can handle whatever you put it through. This backpack offers all-day shoulder and back support, lots of pockets, an extra padded tablet sleeve, and is cute enough to last you all four years.

A portable charger ranks highly among the basic needs of college students. The last thing you want is to be stranded in class or at a tailgate without the ability to text your friends “wya?” We like this two-pack because it has two USB ports, is lightweight, and comes in a variety of styles.

When it comes to college essentials for class, you're going to need a laptop, and let's face it—nothing compares to a MacBook. They're stylish, easy to use, reliable, and long-lasting (I'm writing this on my college laptop from 2018). Plus, you can save on eligible MacBook models with Apple's education discount.

College is overstimulating, to say the least, and the last thing you want is to subject your precious eyes to additional stress. A Kindle makes reading easy on the eyes, thanks to its glare-free display that reads like real paper, no matter where you are. Plus, it's easy to tote around, providing you with a convenient way to indulge in your favorite books and course materials.

You are going to lose your keys. At least once. So, we may even go as far as saying that an Airtag is the number one item on your college school supplies list for 2023. It can help you find your items via your iPhone or iPad and even play a sound on its built-in speaker to assist you in finding things in a rush.

There's a lot of material to get through in college, and sometimes it's too difficult to read off your electronic devices. For the days you want to get old school, hit pen to paper, you're gonna need a printer. And not just any printer—ideally, it's compact (because no college student has space for a bulky printer), reliable, wireless, and quick, just like the one below.

Something you're likely to forget when shopping for your college school supplies online is printer paper. And what's the good in investing in a printer if you're unable to print anything? If you're a paper snob (understandable), this pack from HP is standard size, 20 pounds thick, and bright-white.

There's a lot to hang in a dorm room—paintings, whiteboards, full-length OOTD mirrors—and these Command strips make sure everything stays put, and you don't get charged at the end of the year because they peel off without causing any damage.

Both on the school supplies list for high school and college, scissors are essential regardless of your age. So, even if you're not crafting, although if you are, we're jealous, it's good to have a pair of soft grip stainless steel scissors handy.

One could argue that a laptop case may even be more important than the laptop itself, as it protects it against damage and any water bottle spills (which happens more than you'd think). We love this one from Baggu because it's made from recycled materials, padded, and comes in different sizes and designs. Cute college school supplies? Check.

It's important to stay hydrated, and there's nothing more enjoyable than sipping ice-cold water out of a Stanley cup. Sure, TikTok got us to buy it, but its wide straw, insulation, and durability got us to rebuy multiple tumblers in different shades (15+ to choose from) and sizes (14, 20, 30, 40, 64 oz. available).

Nowadays, laptops don't come with as much storage as they used to, so it's essential to have a good flash drive on hand, especially if you're vlogging your college experience and want to make sure your videos don't disappear into the ether. Ol' reliable below can store anywhere from 8-64 GB, depending on which size you choose.

When shopping for your college school supplies on Amazon, don't forget the push pins! These heavy-duty AmazonBasics push pins are great for keeping all your keepsakes and mementos organized and displayed in one place.

If you find yourself studying in a group often, it helps to have a whiteboard handy, especially if you've somehow become the designated tutor. We like this small one from Amazon because it's magnetic, portable, and doesn't take up too much space in your dorm.

Now that you have the school supplies, you're going to need to keep them organized. It's quite irritating to know you bought something and can't find it when you really need it. This mesh organizer has six compartments along with one pencil holder and 72 desktop accessories to keep your study area clutter free.