The dreaded Back to School advertising. Honestly, after many years of spotting the advertisements, Back to School has to be one of the most creative and capturing, considering it is only temporary. Here are school supply essentials I feel is necessary for the school year - this can be applied to high school and university or college students.
1) Pens and Highlighters
This may seem obvious, but it can easily be overlooked. Buying good quality pens and highlighters are essential for high school and post secondary. The typical array of pens you should try and stick to are blue, black and red - I only recommend coloured pens [i.e. pink, blue, yellow, purple] for studying and note taking, not for assignments as I assure you, your professor or teacher will not accept. Highlighters are great for studying and in class note-taking. The beauty of highlighters is you can pick whichever highlighted colour sticks to you best. Personally, I prefer neon orange, green, yellow and purple for studying because it is an indictor of important concepts.
2) Computer paper
This, especially for post secondary is key. You need computer paper and you will soon realize how life becomes more of a struggle without it. Stores such as Staples, Walmart, and Target sell computer paper though I suggest looking for the better deal because for some reason, computer paper is costly. Nearing the end of summer, to the first week of September be on the look out for great computer paper deals.
3) Lined paper
What is computer paper without lined paper? If you carry around a notebook or two, you may think having loose lined paper is not necessary (untrue!) Being in high school you probably will carry two or three binders (oh the days) thus having lined paper to be mandatory. However, if you are in post secondary you will have one binder, and more notebooks. Either way, you will use lined paper regardless of your schooling and it makes life a lot easier having extra. Again, look go for the deals!
4) 1.5 or 2.5 inch binder(s)
Binders are very subjective to the individual. Depending on your courses, and level of education you are in, binders may or may not be required. I remember in high school I felt it was necessary to carry 5 binders with me per class because I could not fathom one large binder. Being in post secondary I usually have only one binder just in case, if I use it great, if not, I always have another reason or year to utilize a binder. I recommend Avery D-ring binders more than anything because of the durability and the rings almost never break on me.
5) Pencils
Again, dependent on your studies: pencils. If you are in a math or art course, and your high school teacher does not allow pens, opt for pencils. I prefer the old fashion sharpen yourself pencil instead of the push pencil at the eraser. When you are in post secondary, pencils are mandatory for completing midterms and exams so be wary on having extras - I also (and it is) recommended to use HB pencils for grading.
6) Notebooks
Out of everything I have listed, notebooks to this day are the most tedious to buy. I always shift back to the basics and opt for a 3 chapter, 250-300 page notebook. These are fantastic in that you only need to buy a few because there is so much paper. I have used many high end to low end brands and always fall back on the cheapest, with the most paper.
7) Durable school bag
It is easy to fall back on a cute school bag because how can you resist? But through many trials, I have learned again, it is better to pick the durable, less-girly option. It was not until my last year of college I had enough and surrendered to buy a plain black, with light blue lining backpack by DKNY. It has lasted me years and I hope many more as I only resist the back-pack-shopping days, again.
