Back to School: School Supply Checklist for College Students

It's that time of year already! It feels like school just let out for summer but it's already time to be thinking about heading back to school. I've been out of (grad) school for three years (can't believe it,) but this time of year is still one of my favorites -- there's nothing like the smell of freshly sharpened pencils, new notebooks, inky pens and possibilities!

If you're a returning college student, here is my must-have college school supply checklist. I linked many of the items below.

1. A Laptop Case
We all know you're going to be lugging around that laptop to every class. Make sure it's well protected and cared for (I'm looking at you, drink-spiller.) Get something colorful like this or more traditional like this.

2. A Cute Coffee Tumbler
Y'all know those 8am (ok, who are we kidding, 10 am--) classes are going to be brutal. Carry your caffeine in style with a cute (and sassy?) tumbler.

3. A (Snarky yet) Functional Planner
You're very busy and people should know it.

4. Pens and Highlighters
Cuz you wanna color code your notes. Duh.

5 Mechanical Pencils and an Eraser
For classes that don't let you take notes on your computer or use jelly pens. Like math. Yuck.

6. Binders
I preferred to use a couple of smaller ones for certain classes depending on my schedule -- it's easier than lugging around a huge binder of everything and limping around campus because your backpack is so heavy.

7. Binder Dividers
So you know what stuff goes with which class. See above.

8. Index Cards
Get your study on!

9. Folders
Don't lose your sh*t.

10. A Cute Bag to Carry it All in
Because none of this matters if you can't carry it around with you.