The Ultimate School Supplies Checklist: What You Really Need for College

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Here’s what should be on your school supplies checklist.

We interrupt your regularly scheduled summer programming with a thorough guide to the world of COLLEGE SCHOOL SUPPLIES SHOPPING!

Do not fret, the days of golden sunsets and gingham picnic spreads have not drawn to a close. . . yet. We’re just of the mind that it’s better to start preparing early for back to school. We’ve already shared a list of clothes for college to get you organized on the wardrobe front. So over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing guides to any supplies you can think of — laptops, planners, pens galore. And don’t forget — dorm decor.

To get you started, today we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the college school supplies you really need, with our school supplies checklist and links to cute products online.

So kick back, enjoy the ride, and pop those sunnies back on!

Stationery

Everyone’s favorite, the pizzazz to your studying routine, the dessert of this guide if packing were a three-course meal. . . Well, life’s short, so why not eat dessert first?

Here are the basic stationery supplies you need for college — you know, the shiny new pencils, pens, and desktop accessories that will make you feel organized and prepared to kill it in all of those classes:

1. Pencils 

The basic building block of all schoolwork, ever. Where would we be without our Ticonderogas, or better yet, their mechanical counterparts?

The Good Twin

These cute rainbow pencils will definitely look pretty in your pencil case, or on your desk.

CW Pencils

Graphite pencils are a must if you like to incorporate some art into your notetaking or bullet-journaling.

2. Pens 

Black, blue, and red recommended. The former two for writing essays and signing documents, the latter for corrections!

Milligram

These ultra-fancy Papier Tigre pens are not your average writing implements — they’re about a million times more stylish.

Muji

Throw it back to middle school and use colorful gel pens to write out your notes – so pretty!

3. Eraser 

Lost to the ages, or never finished. . . such is the fate of a well-worn, well-loved eraser. Everyone makes mistakes, take this guy along to face them together!

Present and Correct

Again, this fancy eraser set is way cooler than what you’d find at the average school supplies store. So chic!

Jet Pens

If you need options when it comes to erasers, this affordable set is the perfect pick.

4. Highlighters 

Absolutely love these for giving notes that extra sparkle. Need more organization? More color, more excitement? Look no further!

Staples

If you like your highlighters bold and bright, these colorful ones from Sharpie are a great pick. 

Amazon

Zebra Midliners are our absolute favorite highlighters for making Instagram-worthy notes. They’re well worth the extra order from Amazon if you ask us!

Present and Correct

These colored pen highlighters are so pretty, with their gradient styling and dual-ended design.

5. Post-its 

Very useful for jotting down wayward thoughts! Stick them all over your desk and admire your handiwork.

Present and Correct

For modern art fans, these geometric shaped sticky notes are a must-have.

Amazon

How nice would this purple, white, and blue sticky note block look on your desk?

6. Planner 

A trusty planner will take you far; everyone wants to stay on top of things. Stay tuned for a future article where we share our favorite planners for this year. In the meantime, here are two solid options:

Amazon

This pink marble daily planner from Mead is affordable and incredibly cute. It’s also available in small and large sizes to fit your lifestyle.

Poppin

Poppin makes tons of adorable desk supplies in every color of the rainbow (if you haven’t checked out their website yet, you need to), and this daily planner comes with five star reviews.

7. Notebooks 

Need I say more? We all like a fresh notebook. Fill these up with your most brilliant thoughts (and doodles).

CW Pencils

Mint is a non-traditional shade for a notebook, so naturally we love it. Stand out from the crowd in your lecture hall with this pretty pick.

Milligram

This fun take on the classic “blue book” is so cool, yet feels traditional at the same time.

Amazon

These classic Five Star notebooks come in a bunch of cute shades, and you can have one notebook per class. Remember to get “college ruled” to fit the most information on each page!

8. Lined Paper 

In case you’re more of the binder type of person — I totally understand. Nothing really beats the freedom of using lined paper, and only securing it away when you want to!

Office Depot

9. Folders / Binders 

So many choices! Most colleges seem to provide folder-friendly papers (i.e. not hole-punched) but binders are often more organized.

Poppin

Poppin is a great place to get pretty colored folders. They carry so many colors that you’re sure to find your favorite!

Jet Pens

These colorful clear folders will allow you to see the contents at a glance and give off a fresh, modern feel.

Staples

You can’t go wrong with a classic binder and staples has about five million options to choose from.

10. Laptop + Charger 

Maybe the most essential item on this list! We’ll be writing up an article soon on the best laptops for college, but in the meantime, here’s our obvious fave, the Macbook Pro:

Amazon

11. Textbooks 

Necessary, but so pricey! Try to avoid breaking the bank and check out these sites for free e-books! (This tends to work better if you are looking for popular and/or classic books.)

12. Rulers / Scissors 

You might think you won’t need these, but you never know. Whether you’re doing math, arts & crafts, opening packages, designing posters. . . you’ll want both of these at your disposal!

Counter-Print

Who would opt for a boring ruler when you could buy a colorful ruler instead? No one, that’s who.

Amazon

Forget basic scissors and opt for these shiny gold ones, sure to spruce up any desk space.

13. Stapler / Tape Dispenser 

Recommended if your building doesn’t already provide these in the printer room! (NOTE: No need to bring your own printer at most schools! There’s more than enough free pages to go around at the library or in your building.)

Muji

Muji’s minimalist tape dispenser looks modern and will go with any type of decor.

Poppin

This retro-chic stapler is so much nicer than your standard silver option.

Dorm Essentials

Here at CF, we’ve covered dorm room must-haves a lot (be sure to see our posts on dorm room bedding, dorm room furnishings, dorm room storage, and dorm room decor for everything you need). 

But here’s a quick list of the basic things you’ll need for your room (plus a few basic lifestyle items you’ll need), as a refresher:

14. Blanket / Comforter 

Only the coziest allowed. Bring the one from home or refresh and buy a new one! See our guide to dorm room bedding for our best tips for buying one of these, plus our top picks.

PB Teen

15. Pillow + Pillowcase 

A must for clocking in a solid eight hours, an even bigger must for bringing to impromptu movie nights, and of course, a good pillow fight with your roommates.

Bed Bath & Beyond

16. Sheets 

The standard is Twin XL! Again, we cover these in our dorm room bedding guide.

Nordstrom

17. Mattress Topper 

Go the extra mile in the name of comfort!

Pottery Barn

18. Toiletries 

You guys probably know that this includes your toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and face wash!

19. Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner 

Personality quiz: are you more of a bar soap or body wash person?

20. Skincare 

So important! Keep your face fresh and protected (always wear sunscreen!). Here’s our basic guide to skincare if you need to establish a routine.

21. Feminine Products 

Assume the role of the mom friend and always have a pad/tampon tucked away in case someone needs it!

22. Shower Caddy 

Walking what seems like miles just to reach the bathroom on the opposite end of the hall (oops, anyone else have this problem?) has never been easier, or chicer.

Bed Bath & Beyond

23. Flip Flops and/or Slippers 

The showers get gross sometimes — protect your feet! A cute pair of bedroom slippers can up the dorm room experience, too.

Rainbow Sandals

Rainbow flip flops are classics and these beige ones are nice and neutral.

Muji

These cozy Muji slippers are both functional and adorable.

24. Razor and Extra Blades OR Pack of Disposable Razors

When you ever feel the need to shave, it’s ready.

25. Nail Clipper 

Often forgotten, but oh so important!

26. Towels 

What gets dirtier the more it cleans? Or wetter the more it dries?

Anthropologie

If you’re in the mood to splurge, these gorgeous towels from Anthro will put a smile on your face every day, guaranteed. (If you’re not in the mood to splurge, Target has amazing-quality towels for cheap!)

Extra Things You Might Forget to Bring

Yup, there’s more. Here’s the final part of our list, including all the extra little items that really need to be on your dorm room checklist:

27. Desk Lamp 

A great light source will do wonders for late night studying.

Urban Outfitters

You can’t go wrong with a neutral desk lamp like this one. It’s minimal, functional, and won’t take away from your room’s color scheme.

28. Extension Cord / Power Strip 

Just in case you’ve got too much tech to handle!

Amazon

29. Phone Accessories (Headphones & Phone Charger)

Always, always — how many times have I run to my phone charger after a long day out?

Anthropologie

These headphones are so chic and minimal, sure to look great with any ensemble.

Amazon

Pro tip: get an extra long charging cord like one of these 10 foot ones as sometimes dorms only come with one or two inconveniently-located outlets.

30. Makeup / Jewelry + Storage! 

Who would I be without eyeliner? Or an excellent statement necklace? Find a good way to store all your trinkets and thank yourself when getting ready is a snap!

Target

This clear organizer is perfect for storing all of your go-to makeup essentials.

Urban Outfitters

A golden jewelry holder like this one doubles as super-chic room decor.

31. Bag 

Backpack, tote bag, cute crossbody, pick your favorites!

Baggu

You can’t go wrong with one of Baggu’s legendary totes — they’re incredibly sturdy and well-reviewed! Plus, this one is marked down to just $20 right now!

KB Illustration

The perfect reusable bag for shopping or schlepping books. Does it get any cuter?

32. Storage Bins 

Dorm rooms and their lovely limited square footage. Defy your boundaries and create more space!

Target

Fabric storage cubes like these are sturdy, colorful, and easy to clean (unlike cardboard storage boxes which can get ruined by errant spills). Also, this one is $4.99 so it’s a no-brainer.

33. Laundry Hamper 

For that weekly trip down to the laundry room. Get one that folds down for easy storage, or buy a set for easy sorting of lights and darks.

Amazon

34. Hangers 

The more organization, the better!

Target

35. Mini-Fridge 

Not a necessity, but definitely handy! Best for cold drinks and leftovers.

Best Buy

36. Fan 

Just in case your dorm doesn’t have A/C. (Many dorms unfortunately do not come with this essential utility.)

Best Buy

37. Mug 

Everyone loves a good cuppa tea. College students love a good cuppa the strongest coffee imaginable.

OM Ceramic

38. Reusable Water Bottle 

Yes! Stay hydrated throughout the day with a reusable water bottle — unlikely staple but very fast friend.

Klean Kanteen

39. Full-Length Mirror 

Recommended if not already installed in your closet. Perfect for planning outfits!

IKEA

40. Ear Plugs / Eye Mask 

Eye masks will help you get more zzz’s, even if your roomie insists on staying up late to study. And if you’ve got a lovable but snoring roommate? Try ear plugs to block out the sound. 

Slip

This luxe satin sleep mask will have you snoozing in serious style.

Amazon

Invest in moldable silicone earplugs for the best possible fit — these ones come very well reviewed on Amazon!

41. SNACKS!! 

In all caps with two exclamation points for a reason — we’re all gonna get hangry eventually, so keep your favorite snacks close by for emergencies!

42. DORM DECOR (Posters, Lights, Plants, Bits of Home) 

The best part of settling in. Decorate to your heart’s content!

Urban Outfitters

This moon light doubles as art for your walls while giving you soft ambient lighting.

Urban Outfitters

How cute are these peach string lights?! A must for emoji fans.

What do you think?

Summa summa summatime! Hopefully this has been/will be helpful for all your back-to-school needs!

Shopping around in the next few weeks? Keep this link bookmarked for reference, and keep an eye out for more articles! Next time we’ll give you a rundown of the Best Laptops for College.

Please, let us know if this helped you out! Got any other suggestions? We’ll add ’em to the list. And tell us: What are your top five items for packing? What are you most looking forward to about going back to school? Let’s talk in the comments!

Source: #Fashionblogger #fashiontrends



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