Top 15 Trustworthy School Supplies Every College Student Needs
School Supplies

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With the school year starting soon, I figured I would share my favorite school supplies that I utilize every year in college. If you are a first-year college student or an upperclassman looking to find that one missing component of your school supply arsenal, I think you will benefit from this list.

I value taking organized notes. Everything from my anatomy diagrams to organic chemistry reactions, they all need to be properly drawn out, labeled and color-coded.

I have found the perfect combination of school supplies that keep my notes organized, help me to remember details, and make going through course material fun! I trust these supplies year to year to help me stay organized and be confident in my academic performance.

High School Students can also check my Top 10 Trustworthy School Supplies Every High School Student Needs post.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you make a purchase using the following links. For more information, see my disclosures here.

Each item is hyperlinked to Amazon to the exact products I use every school year. Just click on the title of each item and you’ll be redirected to Amazon where you can purchase each item. I hope that you find these suggestions useful:

1. The North Face Borealis Backpack

I love this backpack! It has plenty of storage for all the school supplies I need everyday (Plus a few snacks or a sweatshirt). The backpack has a unique design that guarantees it will last the entire school year. It has the right amount of space, made of an easy to clean material and allows for customization with buttons, key chains and hand sanitizer holders.

2. Dell XPS 13” Laptop

This laptop is what everyone needs! It is lightweight and small. It is easy to travel with and is appropriate for most lecture hall style desks. It has sufficient storage, clear graphics and is highly customizable with apps and backgrounds. I also highly recommend the Dell brand, since it is user friendly and offers efficient customer support.

3. Laptop Case

I highly recommend buying a laptop case. This case was one I purchased without shopping around too much but I do not regret it. It has protected my laptop from water damage after minor spills or breaking in any minor falls. It is easy to clean with a wet cloth from any food or other mess that’s on it.

4. Five Star Notebooks

These notebooks are so reliable. The paper has a unique texture that prevents highlighter from bleeding through or from pen ink from smearing. It is perfect for taking high intensity notes. Just a little secret I even started writing in the notebook, taking the pages out and arranging them in a binder. This practice is beneficial as you add to your notes, so that your notes can be in order.

5. Five Star Pencil Case

This pencil case makes me feel like a kid again. Every year there is a little excitement when it is filled with brand new school supplies. This pencil case holds so much! And the coolest feature is that it stands up on its own.

6. Paper Mate Clear Point Mechanical Pencils

These mechanical pencils are so practical! They write smooth and fine, with 0.7 mm lead and let’s not mention the eraser quality! It effectively gets rid of all pencil marks.

7. Pentel Hi Polymer Eraser

I value the quality of the mechanical pencils above but these erasers are amazing!!! I remember the first semester that I really needed a quality eraser, second semester freshman year in Anatomy class. I had to make and label so many diagrams and these erasers kept every page looking 100% mistake-free.

8. Paper Mate/ Ink Joy Gel Pens

Green, purple, blue are some of my favorite colors to make quick little reminders and notes that I need to remember later. These colored gel pens keep me in a perfect balance of feeling like a kid using colors and feeling like an adult using pens. Unlike most colored writing utensils these pens allow precise writing or drawing.  

9. BIC Black Gel Pens

These pens are really smooth and don’t smear. They are perfect for writing reminders on sticky notes, writing events in a planner and writing essays. They are practical and lightweight enough to carry with you everywhere!!! I almost forgot to mention how soft and easy it is to grip these pens.

10. Wireless Earbuds

Imagine you are in the library. You hear someone on your right tapping their pen and someone on your left eating crunchy carrots. Wait, no you don’t! You have these earbuds in! They are spectacular at blocking out sound, have a great fit and have a long lasting battery. I know that these aren’t the “real deal” airpods but it is totally worth the purchase.

11. Tal Hydration Water Bottle

Just a clarification that I had this water bottle before Hydro flasks were all the rage. I am obsessed with this water bottle. It’s sturdy, easy to clean, easy to travel with and the best color (green). This bottle encourages me to drink a lot of water so I can confidently say that I am always well hydrated.

It is also perfect for late-night studying, since there is so much water in the bottle you don’t have to interrupt your work flow to refill your bottle. But no promises you won’t have to run to the bathroom more frequently.

12. Extra Peppermint Gum

My favorite benefits of chewing peppermint gum is the ability to improve memory and curb any cravings. Again both qualities are perfect for long night studying.

13. Sticky Notes

This brand of sticky notes really help me to stay organized. I love that they come in so many different colors, shapes and sizes. The paper itself is thicker so the sticky notes can withstand being removed and reattached, a moderate amount of erasing and getting accidentally damp.

14. Highlighters

I have used these highlighters throughout my schooling career, literally. These highlighters last so long despite being used a moderate amount. As long as the cap is put on the highlighter properly they don’t dry out. An added bonus is they don’t smear pencil or pen (as long as the pen has dried a few seconds)!

15. Vera Bradley Lanyard and ID Holder

Bonus School Supplies: Phone Wallet

For boys (and girls), I recommend using a phone wallet if you don’t want to use the lanyard. You can store your Student ID, Driver’s License, and Debit Card on the back of your phone. This product allows for quick easy access for all your essentials.

 If you are looking for one place to easily store your Student ID, Debit Card, Driver’s License, dorm keys, and car keys this Vera Bradley set is for you. This product is a great investment!!! You never have to fumble looking for your Student ID at the library desk or at night looking for your room key.

Conclusion

These are all the products I trust every year to help me be successful. I value keeping my notes organized and of high enough quality to reference throughout the semester up until finals. I hope that you found my suggestions helpful and they empower you to take control of your educational journey.

Share with me in the comments or on social media your favorite school supplies. Also let me know if you try any of these products out!!!

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About the Author

Each post is written or inspired by one of three of my life experiences. The prospective high school veterinary student, pre-veterinary college student and the veterinary school student (hopefully😅). If you can identify with any of these perspectives then continue reading my blog!