The back-to-school spirit comes with eagerness and excitement. Be it for elementary or middle school, high school, or college, it helps to have all the right tools that can beautify your student’s experience. While classics on a school supply list, like notebooks and pens, are still good to go for, the present generation of children asks for a host of essentials that promote both conventional learning and the digital landscape.
This helpful guide will list the top back-to-school essentials, including school gear, tech items, and backpack essentials.
Investing in Quality Clothes & Shoes
School dress codes and uniforms may vary depending on different schools. For those that follow a fixed dress code, it is advisable to purchase well-fitted uniforms with durable fabric. For schools that do not require students to follow a specific uniform, it’s best to build their wardrobe around flexible and basic fabrics. That may include cotton solid-colored tees or jerseys, basic blue jeans, or neutral-colored cardigans. Keep it simple and casual!
Clean and good-quality undergarments are crucial for students. For older boys and college students, comfortable men’s underwear is a necessity, especially if they’re in sports or lead active lives outside of class. Soft, quality briefs and undershirts prevent rubbing against or irritating the skin, provide breathability, and maintain hygiene. This helps manage excess sweat and moisture and prevents chafing. Choosing breathable fabric and a good-fitting design for school dresses and undergarments goes a long way toward the overall well-being and concentration of a student.
For schools with specific uniforms or dress codes, traditional black shiny shoes are perfect. Sneakers are both comfortable and fashionable and match perfectly with almost any casual outfit.
The Power of Writing: Notebooks & Paper Planners
Research shows that taking notes by hand supports cognitive processing, retention, and organizational skills. Writing by hand boosts memory and concentration. Using notebooks makes students more aware of how they organize and present their work. It puts pressure on them to find, modify, and stick to a method that suits them best.
Paper planners give a separate hands-on experience that is away from digital distractions and helps students focus on their work. Planning with colorful stickers, pens, and sketches is a fun experience for students. This process is very powerful for learning and productivity since it has been shown to enhance memory and conceptual understanding.
Laptops & Digital Notebooks
Note-taking is a fundamental part of being a successful student. But once students enter high school, the habit of writing down everything on paper takes a backseat. For teenagers, any laptop with a solid operating system would be better equipped to meet all academic needs. Having one’s backpack weighed down with heavy books and hundreds of worksheets is long gone. Laptops and tablets enable students to remain flexible with the evolving nature of education and provide ample storage for assignments and important documents.
A digital notebook is the perfect blend of a laptop and paper notebooks. It is much like any other notebook, with the single difference of it being online and storing notes in the cloud. Hence, notes saved online can be retrieved from anywhere across the globe. You can also import pictures into your digital notebooks.
Along with your digital devices, a portable charger is a lifesaver and a must-have.
Eco-conscious Laptop Bags & Water Bottles
Laptop bags are an absolute must-have for any student, but choosing an eco-friendly laptop bags benefits you and the environment. Opting for eco-friendly products when possible leads to less dependency on non-renewable materials, less pollution, and better protection for the earth. Other laptop bags are made from synthetic materials that add to greenhouse gas emissions and water pollution. Eco-conscious bags, on the other hand, alleviate this concern — they use sustainable materials that often hold up better than their synthetic counterparts anyways, saving you money in the long run.
Similarly, an eco-friendly water bottle made from BPA-free plastic ensures your student stays hydrated and healthy throughout the day. Go for an insulated bottle made of sturdy materials that will keep drinks warm or cold for hours.
Inkjet Printers
An instant printer and ink cartridges are often overlooked tech for students, but they provide ease and efficiency to a number of projects and tasks. They can make a student’s life easier when it comes to handling coursework, printing assignments, and completing creative projects. Since inkjet printing lets students explore a range of media types, including glossy paper, cardstock, and even fabric, they can help them think out of the box and be creative for presentations or school projects.
Get Prepared
Be sure to have a school checklist and pen down all the essentials to ensure you don’t miss out on anything important. Don’t wait until the last minute to shop! Give your student all the back to school essentials they need to help them start the new school year on the right foot.