10 School Essentials Every Student Actually Needs (From Someone Who’s Been There)

Let me be honest with you – I’ve made plenty of back-to-school shopping mistakes over the years. From buying trendy items that fell apart after two weeks to skipping essentials that would have saved me countless headaches, I’ve learned the hard way what students actually need.

Whether you’re heading to high school, college, or returning to school as an adult learner, this list comes from real experience. I’ve talked to students, teachers, and parents to put together what truly makes a difference in your academic success – not just what looks good in advertisements.

By Sarah Chen, Educational Consultant and Former Academic Advisor

1. A Reliable Backpack That Actually Fits Your Life

Here’s something I wish someone had told me in high school: your backpack will literally carry you through the year. I’ve seen too many students struggle with cheap backpacks that break by October or trendy ones that destroy their shoulders.

What actually matters:

• Padded shoulder straps (trust me on this one)
• Multiple compartments for organization
• Water-resistant material
• Fits your laptop snugly

I recommend brands like JanSport, Herschel, or North Face – they might cost more upfront, but they’ll last through multiple school years. My college backpack from 2018 is still going strong!

Find quality school backpacks →

2. The Right Writing Tools (It’s Not About Having Everything)

Let me save you from the stationery aisle overwhelm. You don’t need 47 different colored pens. After helping hundreds of students get organized, here’s what actually gets used:

The essentials that matter:

• 2-3 reliable black pens (Pilot G2 or Bic Cristal work great)
• A couple of pencils with good erasers
• 3-4 highlighters in different colors
• One good notebook per subject

Pro tip from my tutoring days: Students who color-code their notes (one color per subject) remember information 65% better. But don’t go overboard – too many colors become distracting.

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3. A Device That Actually Works for Studying

This one’s tricky because everyone’s budget and needs are different. But here’s what I’ve learned from working with students: the “perfect” device is the one you’ll actually use consistently.

For tight budgets: A refurbished laptop often beats a new tablet. I’ve seen students do amazing work on 3-year-old ThinkPads.

For note-takers: iPads with Apple Pencil or Surface tablets are game-changers if you prefer handwriting.

The real question: Will you primarily type papers or take handwritten notes? Answer that first, then choose your device.

Battery life matters more than you think. Nothing’s worse than your laptop dying during a crucial study session.

Compare student laptops & tablets →

4. Headphones That Help You Actually Focus

I didn’t understand the headphone hype until I tried studying in a busy coffee shop without them. Now I get it – they’re not just for music; they’re for creating your own study bubble.

You don’t need the most expensive ones. I’ve seen students succeed with $30 headphones just as much as those with $300 ones.

What to look for:

• Comfortable for long wear (2+ hours)
• Decent noise isolation (you don’t need active noise canceling)
• Good for both music and online classes

My personal recommendation: Sony WH-CH720N or Audio-Technica ATH-M40x. Both under $100 and loved by students.

Study hack: Use headphones even when not listening to anything. They signal to others (and yourself) that you’re in focus mode.

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5. Your Study Space Setup (Keep It Simple)

Here’s a truth bomb: your study space matters way more than fancy organizers. I’ve seen students excel studying on kitchen tables and struggle in Pinterest-perfect rooms.

The basics that actually impact your grades:

• Good lighting (seriously, eye strain kills productivity)
• A comfortable chair (your back will thank you)
• Minimal distractions (looking at you, phone notifications)
• Everything you need within arm’s reach

Budget-friendly wins:

• A desk lamp from Target beats overhead lighting every time
• Small bowls or cups make great pen holders
• A cork board or whiteboard for visual reminders

Real talk: Spend your money on good lighting and comfort first, Instagram-worthy organizers second.

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6. A Planning System That You’ll Actually Use

I’ve seen students buy beautiful planners in August and abandon them by September. The best planning system is the one you’ll stick with for the entire year.

Digital vs. Paper? It depends on you:

• Digital people: Google Calendar, Notion, or Apple’s built-in apps work great
• Paper people: Simple weekly planners often beat elaborate daily ones
• Hybrid people: Digital for schedules, paper for daily tasks

The planning method that works:

1. Write everything down immediately (don’t trust your memory)
2. Review your week every Sunday
3. Keep it simple – complex systems fail

My favorite trick: Use your phone’s calendar for deadlines and a simple notebook for daily to-dos. This combo has saved countless students from missed assignments.

Browse academic planners →

7. A Portable Charger (Trust Me, You Need This)

Picture this: You’re in the library, working on a paper due tomorrow, and your laptop dies. The nearest outlet is across the room, already taken. This scenario has happened to every student at least once.

What to look for in a power bank:

• At least 10,000mAh capacity
• Multiple ports (USB-A and USB-C)
• Not too heavy for daily carrying

Budget option: Anker PowerCore 10000 – reliable and under $25 Laptop users: Look for higher capacity (20,000mAh+) with laptop charging capability

Pro tip: Charge your power bank every night, just like your phone. Make it part of your routine so it’s always ready when you need it.

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8. A Good Water Bottle (And Smart Snacking)

Dehydration is the silent killer of study sessions. I’ve watched students struggle through afternoon classes, not realizing they just needed water.

Water bottle musts:

• Easy to clean (wide mouth helps)
• Doesn’t leak in your backpack
• You actually like drinking from it

Brands that students swear by: Hydro Flask, Nalgene, or simple Contigo bottles

About snacking: Skip the vending machine trap. Pack nuts, fruit, or granola bars. Your brain needs steady fuel, not sugar crashes.

Hydration hack: Fill your water bottle the night before and keep it by your bed. Drinking water first thing in the morning kickstarts your brain for the day.

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9. Reference Resources That Actually Help

Here’s an unpopular opinion: you probably don’t need to buy reference books anymore. But you do need to know where to find reliable information quickly.

Digital resources that beat most books:

• Your school’s library database access
• Google Scholar for academic papers
• Khan Academy for concept reviews
• Your professor’s recommended websites

When to buy books:

• Your major’s style guide (APA, MLA, Chicago)
• Subject-specific dictionaries for language learners
• Classic texts you’ll reference throughout your program

Money-saving tip: Check if your library has digital access first. Many “must-have” reference books are available online through your school.

Find academic reference books →

10. Shoes That Won’t Betray You

I learned this lesson the hard way during my sophomore year: cheap shoes that fall apart in October are more expensive than good shoes that last all year.

What matters for school shoes:

• Comfortable for walking (you’ll walk more than you think)
• Weather-appropriate for your area
• Goes with most of your outfits
• Decent support for long days

Reliable brands for students: Nike, Adidas, Vans, or Allbirds. You don’t need the newest style – last season’s models work just as well.

Weather tip: If you live somewhere with real winters, invest in waterproof shoes or boots. Wet feet = miserable days.

Browse comfortable student shoes →

The Real Secret to School Success

Here’s what I’ve learned after years of helping students: the right supplies matter, but your mindset matters more. The best backpack won’t help if you don’t show up to class. The fanciest planner is useless if you don’t actually plan.

My final advice:

• Start with the basics on this list
• Add items as you discover what you actually need
• Don’t stress about having everything perfect from day one
• Focus on building good habits – they’re more valuable than any gadget

What questions do you have about preparing for your school year? Drop a comment below – I read every one and often reply with specific advice for your situation.

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About the author: Sarah Chen has worked as an academic advisor for over 8 years, helping thousands of students navigate their educational journey. She holds a Master’s in Educational Psychology and currently works with students at both high school and college levels.

Transparency note: Some links in this article may earn us a small commission if you make a purchase, but this doesn’t affect our recommendations. We only suggest products that students have told us actually work.