College School Supplies List
- Mikaela Bartlett
- Jul 25
- 3 min read
Your ultimate school supply list for college.
When you're in elementary, middle, and even high school, you're usually provided a list of materials you'll need for your classes. But when you hit college, arguably a much higher stakes level of academics, you're left in the dark (aside from your textbooks). So what school supplies do you need to actually buy for college?
We've created the perfect list of things you'll need for your classes and even a college dorm room essentials guide (and the stuff you can leave at home). You can use this as your guide for shopping to ensure you have everything you need and don't spend money when you don't have to.
College School Supplies For Class
First things first, you're there to learn, right? So making sure you've got all the supplies you'll need for class will put you on the right path.
Writing Supplies
We're not reinventing the wheel here guys, but making sure you have enough writing supplies is a good place to start. We're talking pens, pencils, erasers, highlighters – you name it – we've got what you need.
Notebooks and study supplies
For all the physical note-takers reading this, we've got you. From notebooks and folders to sticky notes to note cards, grab the supplies you need to make sure your notes stay organised all semester.
Essential College School Supplies
There's a few essential college supplies we'd recommend getting before you head to college. Backpacks, planners, laptops, all mean you'll be fully prepared for whatever faces you. With discounts on Apple, adidas, and Papier, you'll be sorted for the school year.
College School Supplies For Freshman
If you're heading off to college for the first time, you're going to need a few more things than your upperclassman friends. Here are a few things you might have forgotten to grab while out shopping for school supplies.
Dorm Essentials
Whether you're leaving reminders and notes for your roommates or just keeping yourself organized, a whiteboard is a great investment for little cost. Grab one with a cork board so you can pin things on it, too.
What To Leave At Home
1. Printer
Printers are everywhere on campus, and most of them only cost around 10 cents to use. Leave the extra bulk of a printer at home to give yourself more space. The only exception to this rule is for English majors or anyone who does a lot of writing for their classwork—you'll need one.
2. Most Kitchen Appliances
Most dorms only allow a small amount of appliances in students' rooms. Anything with an open coil is out, and there isn't much room to cook anyway. Opt for the absolute must-haves, like a coffee maker or electric kettle, and anything else your dorm doesn't provide (a microwave, mini-fridge, etc.).
3. Candles
Open flames are a no-no in dorms and even in most of the on-campus apartments. If you want to brighten up the smell of your room, get a wall plug-in, reed diffuser, or room spray. They're much safer and will keep you out of trouble!
4. Collectables
While we definitely encourage making your space your own, you don't need to bring every little treasure or memento to college. Pare it down to the most important things and leave the rest at home. It's also worth noting you shouldn't bring anything too valuable—you don't want something irreplaceable to get lost, stolen, or broken while you're at school.
5. Lots of Books
You're going to accumulate plenty of textbooks in college, and while we know this one is going to hurt the avid readers, you're not going to read as much as you think. Bring the next few on your TBR list, and leave the rest at home. Books are cumbersome to move, so the fewer you bring from the get, the better.
