It's that time of the year again—school supply shopping season! Now, before you go and fill your cart with every pastel pen and highlighter you see, let's talk about what you'll actually need.

I get it, those aesthetic school supplies are very tempting, but practicality is way more important than having a pencil pouch stuffed with novelty erasers and gel pens in every color. So, before you drop $30 on things you'll never use, here is a list of overrated school supplies—and what to buy instead.

1. Fancy Planners

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They're pretty. They're aesthetic. But, they're also expensive.

If you're sure that you'll use it every day and won't let it go to waste, then it can be a good investment. However, be honest with yourself: if you know you'll get tired of having to write everything down, try using a digital planner. I recommend Notion. It does have a learning curve, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll never want to go back.

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2. Novelty Erasers and Pencil Toppers

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I'll be honest, I've fallen victim to these erasers many times. They're cute and tempting. But honestly, most don't erase well and often end up falling apart or taking up space.

My advice? Go for the classic pink beveled erasers. They work great and last the whole school year.

3. Jumbo Packs of Pens

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You know those big packs of 30 gel pens that look like the secret to perfect notes? Put them back on the shelves, they're not worth it. Instead, get around 4 black pens along with 2 to 3 pens of any color you like.

This way, you'll still be able to color-code your notes without having to dig through a pile of pens. Keep it simple so that you can use your time efficiently.

4. Locker Decor Sets

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Instead of splurging on the 10-piece magnetic accessory set, buy 1 or 2 things you know you'll need. Whether that's a small organizer for pens and sticky notes, or a magnetic whiteboard for reminders, stick to the basics so that you can be organized and keep your locker functional instead of cluttered.

5. Multiple Types of Sticky Notes

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This is something I used to do way too often. I would get a handful of sets of different kinds of sticky notes, only to end up using 1 or 2 at most. Don't make my mistake and waste money on things you'll probably forget about. Just buy one standard size or more if you know you'll need them.

When it comes to school supplies shopping, focus on buying things that will help you stay productive and save money. Now, I am not totally against picking up a few aesthetic supplies, as long as they keep you motivated. If you know that you will use whatever it is that you're buying and won't forget about it in a few months, go ahead and add it to your cart.

Just remember to only shop for things that work for you. That way, you'll be ready for the next school year.