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The first bells are about to ring, meaning it’s time to get to class! Before you head to first period, you’ll need the back-to-school essentials. From notebook paper to calculators, it’s hard to overprepare for your academics. Getting everything you need is challenging, but you have help on your side. Here are 24 things you’ll need for the school year!
1. UtyTrees Day Planner
Your high school supplies list should start with a fresh day planner. This planner from UtyTrees covers 18 months from January 2025 to June 2026 and is full of helpful features, including a list of important dates and planning pages for months, weeks and individual days. However you like to organize your school calendar, UtyTrees has you covered.
2. Pilot G2 Premium Gel Roller Pens
There are dozens of pen options available every new school year, but the Pilot G2 Premium Gel Roller Pens always seem to be the most popular. They write more smoothly than any other pen and come in an assortment of colors. They’re also so stylish that they can serve as accessories for your back-to-school outfits.
3. Five Star Zipper Binder
Although laptops have largely overtaken looseleaf paper, you still need a binder for all of the worksheets and tests you receive from teachers. Five Star is the go-to office supply brand for durable binders and trapper keepers. This zipper binder also has plenty of extra pockets for your pens, pencils and other smaller items when going back to school.
4. myCharge Portable Charger
A portable charger is a must-have for all students in the 2025-2026 school year. You need a reliable charger for your phones, laptops and tablets that doesn’t keep you glued to the wall. Let’s say you’re driving your reliable Camry to school, and you realize your phone is almost dead. Rather than plugging it into a classroom outlet, you can charge it with this device instead.
5. havit Laptop Cooling Pad
Tired of your laptop overheating and making loud noises during class? This cooling pad from havit is a simple solution to keeping your electronics at safe temperatures. It also has two USB ports for chargers or flash drives and adjustable heights, allowing you to use the pad in any classroom setting. It’s one of the back-to-school essentials when the weather gets hot!
6. Logitech Wireless Mouse
This wireless mouse from Logitech is another laptop accessory you should get before going back to school. Mice are easier to use than touchpads, and this one is ultra-durable. It should have no trouble lasting the entire year. You can pair it with up to three computers and use it for any application, whether you’re doing schoolwork or playing online games.
7. Apple AirTags 4-Pack
If you have a bad habit of misplacing things, then you need a four-pack of Apple AirTags for the new school year. These simple tracking devices can attach to your phone, computer and other precious belongings so you always know where they are. If you lose something or fall victim to theft, you can instantly find the item’s location.
8. Bose Noise-Canceling Headphones
Trying to do schoolwork surrounded by classmates or in a busy house is almost impossible. Bose’s noise-canceling headphones will block out these distractions and help you focus on your assignments. Other headphone companies claim to have noise-canceling headphones, but Bose is the real deal. These gadgets are must-have school supplies because they’ll help you lock in and study.
9. Della Gao Travel Backpack
A quality backpack is the centerpiece of all back-to-school shopping. It should be both fashionable and functional, and this travel backpack from the Della Gao Store certainly checks both boxes. The sleek design fits with any style, has a special laptop sleeve and is 100% waterproof. It’s also light enough to haul across school campuses without weighing you down.
10. Rocketbook Reusable Index Cards
Regular paper index cards are ridiculously wasteful. Rather than using them once and throwing them away, why not get some reusable index cards from Rocketbook? These cards are basically small whiteboards, allowing you to use them for your studies again and again without having to buy hundreds of paper index cards.
11. Yeti Rambler Water Bottle
Reusable water bottles — flasks in particular — have become the latest fashion accessories for back-to-school clothes. Everyone seems to have a bottle from Hydroflask or Lululemon these days. We decided to go in a different direction for the new school year with the Yeti Rambler water bottle, which includes a shatter-resistant cap and double-wall vacuum insulation.
12. Casio fx-300ES Plus 2nd Edition
Every student needs a capable calculator before going back to school, and there’s no better option than the Casio fx-300ES scientific calculator from Casio. You can use this calculator for any math subject, from basic algebra to advanced calculus. It’s also solar-charged, so you never have to worry about losing power during an important test.
13. Femuar Lunch Box
Lunchtime should include packing protein with nutritious foods and preparing for afternoon classes. Use this lunch box from Femuar to get your meals and snacks in one bag. It holds up to 1.8 gallons of food and beverages and includes an easy-to-carry buckle design. Is your lunch period late? Don’t worry — the aluminum lining keeps your drinks cool all day!
14. SamData 32GB USB Flash Drives
School has significantly shifted to digital media, so flash drives are even more critical. You’ll need plenty of memory to store your essays, presentations and video projects. This twin pack of SamData thumb drives will get you through the school year with ample storage. The brand ensures compatibility with most Windows, Linux and Mac OS devices.
15. SNE Digital Watch
Taking tests can challenge your brain due to the strict time limits. How can you navigate the urgency? Get this SNE digital watch with waterproof features. Don’t worry about sweat or accidental spills ruining your technology! Use the device to time yourself on long runs or the 40-yard dash. It could be a way to refresh your running routine and set personal bests.
16. Puroma 2-Pack Combination Lock
Your locker should be a safe haven, so protect it with a Puroma combination lock. This premium zinc alloy and steel device is among the back-to-school essentials because it resists wear and tear. Do you have an outside locker? Fortunately, the lock resists rust and corrosion like a waxed car, so moisture won’t be an issue.
17. ELLOPI Book Covers
Teachers will assign textbooks when the year starts and expect them to be in good condition. Protect your bulky books with ELLOPI’s machine-washable nylon covers. While other products fade, this fabric dust jacket retains its colors. Assign different shades for your subjects to increase your organization!
18. OPNICE Desk Organizer and Accessories
A desk organizer should be on your back-to-school essentials list unless you want to sort through clutter. This OPNICE product elevates your computer monitor and includes drawers underneath, creating a lovely space. There’s not much it can’t do, from pen holders to a calculator drawer! The organizer enhances functionality and aesthetics for your study room.
19. Seventh Generation Disinfecting Multisurface Wipes
Your desk will inevitably collect dust during the school year, so it’s wise to have disinfecting wipes. Cleaning products kill germs and keep you healthy year-round. Who wants to rack up sick days at school and miss tests? Get these Seventh Generation multisurface wipes with essential oils to clean and disinfect.
20. Bostitch Office Premium 3-Hole Punch
Your teachers might get mad if you turn in papers without punched holes. Therefore, this Bostitch Office Premium product should be on your high school supplies list. It has a durable, all-metal design and an easy-to-clean tray. However, the soft rubber base increases stability when using the hole puncher.
21. Sharpie Pocket-Style Highlighters
Taking notes should mean using a highlighter to make specific sections stand out. How can you make studying easier before test day? Get a pack of Sharpie highlighters with contrasting colors. Yellow could indicate vocabulary words, whereas green highlights sections you need to study more. Clip them on your shirt or stuff them in your pockets!
22. Coquimbo Sewing Kit
You never know when a wardrobe malfunction could happen, whether in PE or a regular class. A basic sewing kit could be handy to mend ripped seams or reattach a button. This portable Coquimbo pack includes threads, needles and scissors to handle these minor repairs. You could also use them for spooky costumes or home economics classes!
23. ECHSRT Large Pencil Case
Schoolwork requires pencils, pens, markers and highlighters. Where can you stuff all these belongings? Get the ECHSRT pencil case with a minimalist design and comfortable handle. This bag has a transparent face, so it’s easy to pick out the supplies you need for class. Fit up to 50 pencils and pens in the bag to ensure you always have writing utensils!
24. Frelaxy Waterproof Backpack Rain Cover
Expect rainfall throughout the school year unless you’re at the old Camp Greenlake. The last thing you want is to ruin your new backpack, so you need a rain cover. Stuff your bag into this Frelaxy waterproof sack, featuring nylon and a waterproof coating. It resists tears and has a PU coating, so consider it among your back-to-school essentials.
Getting Back-to-School Deals for the New Year
Late July and August will see back-to-school shopping commence for most families. This time of year is perfect for gathering high school supplies and taking advantage of sale prices. Your area may have a tax-free weekend to save even more money, so highlight these dates on your calendar. If you know your classes, you can estimate what you’ll need!
Originally posted 8/5/2023 – Updated 8/7/2025
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Author
Jack Shaw is a senior writer at Modded. Jack is an avid enthusiast for keeping up with personal health and enjoying nature. He has over five years of experience writing in the men's lifestyle niche, and has written extensively on topics of fitness, exploring the outdoors and men's interests. His writings have been featured in SportsEd TV, Love Inc., and Offroad Xtreme among many more publications.
