25 School Supplies Every Student Needs

Key Takeaway

Wondering what school supplies you’ll need for college? Check out our recommendations for the following must-have items:

  1. Pencils/Mechanical Pencils
  2. Pens (Various Colors)
  3. Highlighters
  4. Pencil Case
  5. Note Cards
  6. Folders
  7. Notebooks
  8. Binders
  9. Paperclips
  10. Correction Pens (Whiteout)
  11. Planner/Agenda
  12. Backpack
  13. Printer
  14. Sticky Tack/Poster Strips
  15. Scissors
  16. Binder Clips
  17. Personal Safety Alarm
  18. Power Strip
  19. Stapler
  20. Portable Charger
  21. Dry Erase Board/Cork Board
  22. Headphones
  23. Calculator
  24. Wireless Mouse
  25. Blue Light Glasses

25 College School Supplies Every Student Needs

With back-to-school around the corner, now is the time to stock up on all the college school supplies you’ll need to be prepared and organized for the year ahead. We’ve rounded up 25 must-have school supplies that you’ll want to add to cart.

At no extra cost to you, College Raptor may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

Your Full List of College School Supplies

1. Pencils/Mechanical Pencils

A pack of yellow pencils.There is still something practical about writing notes by hand: you can erase mistakes, sketch out a design, and avoid the treacherous ink smudge. Just don’t forget to buy a sharpener or additional lead.

2. Pens (Various Colors)

Study sessions School supplies -- zebra pen z gripFor a smoother, quicker, bolder note-taking experience, go with pens. Science also says that using various colors to write notes will improve your memory. Can’t argue with science!

3. Highlighters

Study sessions School supplies -- sharpie pocket highlightersHighlighters are a lifesaver when studying! In most cases, you can mark up your textbooks as much as you want—even if you plan to sell them back. Odds are, the next student who orders a used book will thank you for the helpful highlights.

4. Pencil Case

Rather than digging for pencils or pens at the bottom of your bag, neatly organize all your writing supplies in one convenient place.

5. Note Cards

Study sessions school supplies -- oxford neon index cardsThese are a college must-have. They are perfect for creating flashcards to memorize facts, dates, vocabulary, or people. If you really want to step it up and study on the go, punch a hole through the cards and feed a clip ring through.

6. Folders

Not everything is digital—even now. Many professors still hand out physical copies of the syllabus and class project assignments, or hand back your printed papers with their feedback written on them. You can keep all these loose-leaf materials in one folder dedicated to the class. Being organized makes it much easier to stay on top of everything.

7. Notebooks

While some students prefer taking notes on their laptops, science has once again proved that taking notes by hand is better for memorization and understanding the material. Grab one notebook for each class, or get one of the multi-subject notebooks and keep up to three classes in one. You can always type up your notes later for legibility.

8. Binders

back to school -- avery durable view binderSome classes may require three-ring binders to keep class materials in. Most of the time, your papers will come pre-punched, but if not, you might also want to invest in a three-hole punch.

9. Paperclips

back to school -- officemate pvc color paperclipsThese are perfect for keeping papers together—whether it’s class notes, handouts, or even mail that sits on your desk in your dorm. These are a must-have school supply for staying organized.

10. Correction Pens (Whiteout)

Mistakes happen! If you notice a small typo or error right before handing in a paper or research project, you’re going to want some correction pens handy for a quick fix. They’re available in liquid or tape form for ultimate convenience. With a multi-pack, you can keep one in your desk at your dorm and one in your pencil pouch.

11. Planner/Agenda

College can get busy, so keep it all organized in a handy-dandy planner. As soon as you’re given an assignment or paper, you can jot down the due date in your agenda and get a head start. All your due dates will be in one place and be super easy to read. With this tool, you’ll never miss a deadline again!

12. Backpack

Mahi Leather BackpackYou might still have your old high school backpack, but you’re going to want to upgrade to something more comfortable. Odds are you’ll be hauling materials from one end of campus to the other. Having a backpack that distributes weight evenly and doesn’t hurt your shoulders or back is necessary.

13. Printer

Most colleges will have printers readily available and give students an allotted amount of printed pages per semester. However, if you plan to do a lot of printing (we’re looking at you, fellow English majors) or don’t want to bother trekking to a computer lab, it might be worth investing in a printer of your own. Don’t forget you’ll also need: ink, toner, and paper. You can even split the cost of the printer and its supplies with your roommates or suitemates so everyone can use it!

14. Sticky Tack/Poster Strips

"must-haves" for surviving college - command stripsThere are many ways to hang up posters or photos around your room, but these make it quick and easy, and they’re available just about anywhere.

15. Scissors

back to school -- amazonbasics multipurpose scissorsGood for school and tasks around the dorm room. Whether you’re snipping the tag off a new shirt or cutting up definitions and gluing them to note cards, you’ll be thankful to have scissors on hand.

16. Binder Clips

Sometimes a paperclip isn’t enough. For bigger clipping jobs, go with a binder clip. They come in multiple sizes, so there’s always one up for the task of keeping a lot of papers together.

17. Personal Safety Alarm

Studying late or walking alone on campus? Feel more confident with one of these compact personal alarms. They are easy to use—just press the button for an extra loud siren and bright, flashing lights to bring attention to yourself when help is needed.

18. Power Strip

Chances are, your dorm room won’t have many outlets—and each one only gives you two spots. So, where do you plug in your phone charger, laptop, fan, and lamp? Easy fix: power strip.

19. Stapler

back to school -- swingline stapler redHave a research paper to hand in? Staple it and it’s ready to go! It’ll be nice and neat without any corner folds. Get one for your dorm desk or a mini hand-held one for your backpack. If there are any stapling emergencies, you’ll be prepared.

20. Portable Charger

You’re not always going to be near an outlet. Between back-to-back classes and late nights at the library, you won’t always get a chance to recharge your phone. Grab a portable charger and keep your devices charged no matter where you are.

21. Dry Erase Board/Cork Board

back to school -- quartet dry erase board and cork boardMount one of these above your desk and keep your schedules in check. You can use magnets or thumb-tacks to keep tickets or coupons in a noticeable place, or hang up fun pictures. You’ll have your most important reminders right in your face!

22. Headphones

best noise cancelling headphones BeatsWhether you’re studying, walking to class, hitting the gym, or just blocking out roommate noise, headphones are (basically) a non-negotiable in college.

23. Calculator

Believe it or not, some classes still require a calculator. Read your syllabus beforehand to make sure you get the right one.

24. Wireless Mouse

For majors that involve living on your laptop (i.e. graphic design), a wireless mouse makes technical work way easier. It’s also great for giving your wrist a break.

25. Blue Light Glasses

If you’re staring at your computer all day, do yourself a favor and protect your eyes with blue light glasses. They can help reduce eye strain and headaches after a long day of classes or even scrolling TikTok at midnight.

Heading Off to College?

Here’s a full list of college school supplies that every freshman needs.

Having real school supplies will help you throughout the semester, so make sure to stock up before classes start. Being prepared will help prevent you from panicking right before midterms or finals just because you can’t find flashcards anywhere. Even if you don’t use everything in one semester, you can use all these supplies throughout your college career. Don’t forget to read your course syllabus to find which school supplies would benefit you best.

If it’s time to find the right school for you—the one that fits your goals, passions, and future—use College Raptor’s College Match tool. It can help you discover personalized college matches, cost estimates, acceptance odds, and potential financial aid for schools around the U.S.—for FREE!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Join thousands of students and parents learning about finding the right college, admissions secrets, scholarships, financial aid, and more.