Summer is over, sadly. You can see the horizon transitioning into the color of despair, fear, and sadness. Just kidding. College is awesome (except for the studying part).

It can take some time to adjust if you are living away from home for the first time, so here are some college must haves:

1. A Planner: If you are in college thinking that you can survive without some sort of physical or digital planner, you are headed towards disaster. This simple little notebook will save your life as you are responsible for your classes’ due dates.
2. Laptop: From essays to group projects – from emails to online notes and PowerPoints, you NEED a laptop. They are expensive, but they’re also a really good investment to your education. Usually college tech stores will have them for a cheaper price or have a student discount than any regular technology store, so make sure to check it out if you don’t have a laptop yet.
3. Laptop bag: I highly recommend getting a soft laptop bag that has handles, so that you can carry it like a briefcase (trust me you’ll thank me later). I got my laptop case from Amazon, and I love it because sometimes, all I need to complete an assignment is my laptop, and with this bag, I don’t have to carry my backpack around along with my other school supplies.
4. Other School Supplies: Yes, you still need these.
   • Backpack (Get a good one with a decent amount of pockets. No one cares if your backpack is cute or not because everyone is just trying to survive)
   • Legal pads (for midterm studying and scratch paper)
   • Folders (one for each class! You might get handouts and college is not the place to misplace things)
   • Gel pens (GET A PACK OF NICE PENS! It motivates me to work harder and study better when I’m using a nice pen. I feel like I have my life together)
   • #2 Pencils (for exams)
   • Loose-leaf paper
   • Notebooks (This is if you don’t like online note-taking. I’m old -fashioned so I love notebooks)
   • Index cards
5. Rubber-soled shoes: You’re going to do a ton of walking in your college career, so make sure you have a pair of comfortable shoes to walk in.
6. Raincoat: I have a raincoat rather than an umbrella because the rain can come with wind at different angles, and I hate getting my backpack wet just as much as I hate getting my clothes wet.
7. Water jug: Stay hydrated!
8. Snacks: When you get hungry in class or when you’re studying!
9. Earphones and a 2nd phone charger: Do I even have to explain this?
10. Coffee maker/Keurig: No one has time to wait in line at Starbucks before class. Again, it is a bit pricey, but it is a huge investment if you’re a tea or coffee lover. I got my Keurig K50 at Walmart!
11. Customized first aid kit:Band-aids
    • Packs of different sized gauze
    • Iodine solution for wounds
    • Tylenol or Ibuprofen
    • Scissors
    • Surgical tape
    • Sanitized towelettes
    • Alcohol wipes
12. Mini toolbox: Your parents are not with you to fix things for you, so you gotta be able to take care of yourself!
13. Hand sanitizers: One for your dorm/ apartment and a mini hand sanitizer to carry around! There’s lots of germs everywhere, and you don’t wanna get sick in college and miss class, I promise!
14. Duffel bag: In case you want to plan a trip with friends or crash at a friend’s place after a party, you’ll need this.
15. File Box: Since you’re on your own, you’ll have to take care of adult stuff. I have a file box to organize my receipts, documents about my health (prescription and medication receipts), car stuff, documents about my scholarship, internships, and volunteering, etc.
16. Body mirror: Dorms/Apartments usually don’t come with good mirrors where you can check your outfit, so get one from Walmart for $5!
17. Disinfecting Wipes: Yeah, this helps. A LOT.
18. Paper Utensils: Washing dishes can get super tiring, and who has time for that sometimes, you know?
19. Wall scents: Put one in your bathroom, your bedroom, and your living room! #BathAndBodyWorks
20. Wallet: A safe space for your credit and debit cards, your coupons, driver’s license and school ID.

Hope this list treats you well! Good luck this year, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

The soul should always stand ajar, ready to welcome the ecstatic experience.

Emily Dickinson