It's August, and you know what that means: back to school! With summer coming to an end, it's time to think about the materials necessary to keep you organized and ready to kill the upcoming year.
Without further ado, here are the seven basics you'll need to ace your tests and blaze through yet another academic triathlon!
1. Notebooks
Notebooks, whether spiral or compositional, are a must for the school year. They are perfect for taking down important info during lectures, or even getting down questions about topics you don't quite understand yet.
And before you say, "I can write my notes online!", studies show that taking physical notes during class improves memory and leads to higher test scores. So having a notebook ready to go is a no-brainer.
I recommend getting one for each subject, so your scribbles stay organized and easily accessible. Additionally, having them color-coordinated will help you remember which pad is for which subject. Four to five should be enough!
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2. A Planner
Whether you like it or not, you can't always remember all your homework assignments. At some point, you're bound to forget even just a little one, leading to a dreaded "Late" or "Missing" on the gradebook. Having an assignment pad helps you keep track of deadlines, which in turn ensures sure you're on top of everything.
Each time a teacher hands out an assignment or announces an upcoming test, jot it down! The best thing about planners is that, once you look back at your pending tasks, you can happily cross out those you've completed. Not only are your assignments all organized, then, but you also get to bask in the feeling of fulfillment from striking each one out.
Additionally, planners are perfect for those who struggle with time management. Each day, you can plan when you want to study, as well as for how long. Having it all laid out on paper is what leads to success!
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3. A Higlighter and Colored Pens
Sometimes, what makes school a little more bearable is taking down cute and aesthetic notes. And what better to keep everything readable, bold, and neat with than some reliable pens and highlighters?
Not only is it fun, but it will also improve your performance in the classroom! A study conducted by Mariam Adawiah Dzulkifli, associate professor at the IIUM, found that color-coding notes enhances memory performance and is incredibly effective in learning.
Highlighting or underlining important terms and definitions will signal your brain to pay extra attention to them, thus making them easier to remember and retrieve during assessments.
Ready to Get Started? Check These Out!
- No-Bleed Ultimate Highlighter Set
- Basic 4 Count Highlighter Set
- 14 Count Colored Paper Mate Gel Pens
- Black Paper Mate Gel Pens
4. Pencils
Of course, you shouldn't forget the most basic and widely-used writing utensil!
When going back to shopping, grab a lot of pencils. However, don't put all of them in your pencil pouch right away! Put about 3 to 4 in there. After a month or two, once they are too short (or have inevitably gotten lost), add another 3 to 4 pencils from the stash you purchased at the beginning of the school year.
Additionally, consider the different types of pencils: mechanical and traditional. Mechanical pencils have become increasingly more popular, as they diminish the need for tedious sharpening and are generally more comfortable to write with. However, traditional ones are easier to draw with, and you never have to worry about having to purchase more lead. Try out both, and see which works best for you!
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5. Hand Sanitizer
A new school year is exciting, but with it comes the stomach bug and the common cold. It's important to keep yourself healthy— especially when surrounded by so many students for so many hours each day— and having a pocket-sized hand sanitizer will definitely do the trick!
Although it's a simple task, it often flies over students' heads. Make sure to use it before you eat lunch or any snacks, as well as after touching a lot of things. You will be protecting yourself and others.
Ready to Get Started? Check These Out!
- Bath and Body Words Pocket Hand Sanitizer Set
- Rosewater Scented Hand Sanitizer Spray
- Pocket Hand Sanitizer Infused with Essential Oils
6. Headphones
Because many teachers assign pre-recorded lectures or informational videos, it's important to have a set of headphones or earbuds readily available during class hours. It'll keep you from getting distracted by all the unrelated goings-on at school or at home, as well as prevent you from being a distraction to others during study hall.
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7. Folders
With teachers constantly handing out worksheets, study guides, and schedules, it is important to have a place to neatly store all these important papers. I mean, the last thing you'd want is to be told to bring out an assignment, only to find it all wrinkled up— or even stained, torn, or completely missing.
Folders help keep all these files safe. Just like your notebooks, you can color-code these folders, assigning each to a specific subject.
And as a quick side note, I'd definitely recommend durable plastic folders, as opposed to more delicate paper ones!
In Conclusion...
Once you've got your items, place them in your backpack and prepare for your first day by getting a good night's sleep.
Good luck! I know you'll kill it. Let's make this year amazing for us all.
