Schools Supplies List: A Must-Have for a Successful Year

Do you know what’s every child’s most vexing phrase? It’s definitely “summer is over and school starts again,” because back-to-school sales begin well before courses begin.

If you plan ahead of time, you’ll be able to save a lot of money by making the most of these sales.

Students must have all of the necessary classroom supplies, in order to succeed in school. Students cannot purchase their own supplies, so their success is, to some measure, dependent on the support of their parents.

Different teachers request different materials, making it difficult to have all of the necessary items on hand.

You can, however, purchase certain necessities that will undoubtedly be used when lessons begin.

We’ve compiled a list of school supplies required for all grades to assist parents and guardians in ensuring that their child has all of the necessary supplies to begin school.

Some supplies, such as pencils and paper, are required for all students, regardless of age.

These are obvious, but there are many other items that are special to different stages of student life.

So, here are some school supply lists from pre-school supply list to college student supplies.

List of Necessary Pre-school Supplies

There are so many things to remember for back-to-school that it’s easy to overlook one or two.

We’ve got you covered if you’re a first-time school parent (YAY for your new kindergartener… or preschooler!). Here is a list of everything you should include in your back-to-school purchase.

• Backpack
• Lunch box
• Tumbler or water bottle
• #2 Pencils
• Zippered pencil case
• Erasers
• Sharpeners
• Glue Sticks
• Markers
• Crayons
• Watercolor paints (8 ct.)
• Regular size backpack
• Ziplock bags
• Paper Plates & Cups
• Change of clothes
• Wet wipes container
• Tissues & disinfectant wipes

List of Elementary Basic Supplies (Grades 1-2)

Bigger kids demand larger backpacks and more materials.

As kids progress from school newcomers to more serious academics, they will want more than composition books and supplies to assist them.

So, here are some of the must-haves for your classroom of early elementary kids.

• #2 Pencils
• Erasers
• Sharpeners
• Zippered pencil bag
• Spiral notebooks (wide-lined)
• Dry erase markers
• Washable markers
• Crayons
• Highlighters
• Pocket folders
• Ruler-12”
• Colored pencil
• Indexed cards (ruled)
• Glue sticks
• Construction paper (assorted)
• Blunt-tipped scissors
• Ballpoint pens
• Backpack and Lunchbox
• Hand sanitizer
• Box of tissues

Checklist for Elementary School Supplies (Grades 3-5)

As kids go through the upper elementary grades, their subjects become increasingly specialized.

They may require separate folders for different classes – and they may even begin to switch professors.

They’ll require resources to help them stay organized as they work on more demanding homework, larger projects, and specialized subjects. Here are the school supplies you may include in your shopping list.

• #2 Pencils
• Zippered pencil bag
• Erasers
• Sharpeners
• 1-inch 3-ring binder
• 3-hole punch
• Pocket folders without fastener
• Washable markers
• Dry erase markers
• Crayons
• Highlighters
• Subject dividers
• Scissors (blunt tip)
• Protractor
• Ruler-12”
• Colored pencils
• Blue or black ballpoint pens
• Glue sticks
• Spiral notebooks
• Wide ruled loose leaf paper
• Index cards
• Backpack
• Lunch box
• Tissues
• Hand sanitizer

High School General Supply List for 2023

• Sticky Notes
• Highlighters
• Markers
• Tabbed Dividers
• Book Covers
• Foreign language dictionary
• Wire Bound Weekly Planner
• USB Flash Drive
• Backpack
• Lunchbox
• Hand sanitizer
• Locker organizers
• Glue stick
• Pencil case
• Stapler
• Scissors
• #2 Pencils
• Colored Pencils
• Pencil Sharpener
• Pens: Red, Blue, Black
• 12-inch Ruler
• TI Calculator
• Pocket Folders
• 3-Ring Binder
• 3-hole punch
• College Ruled Loose Leaf 3 Hole Paper
• Spiral Notebooks

The high school supply list is incomplete because various subjects require different sets of supplies.

On the first day of school, high school students should bring the goods listed above, as well as writing equipment and notebooks.

By the beginning and end of the first week of school, all teachers should have given students a list of required things.

Basic College Student Supplies

Students are advised exactly what school supplies they will need for lessons from elementary school through high school.

However, with the independence that college provides, students can choose whatever materials work best for them.

Having the proper college school supplies on hand can make all the difference in preparing them for success in the classes.

The following are 33 must-have materials that any student, regardless of degree of study, could benefit from.

• Pens
• Pencils
• Erasers
• Highlighters
• Pencil Case
• Notebooks
• Folders
• Binders
• Notebook Paper
• Planner
• Sticky Notes
• Book Tabs
• Calculator
• Binder Clips
• Stapler
• Scissors
• Tape
• Paper Clips
• Note Cards
• Three-Hole Punch
• Water Bottle
• Backpack
• Laptop
• Wireless Mouse
• Flash Drive
• Blue Light Blocking Glasses
• Wireless Earbuds
• Headset With Microphone
• Office Chair Pillow
• Desk Lamp
• Printer
• Printer Paper
• Power Strip

Money-Saving Tips for Back-to-School Shopping

School supplies shopping may be just as much of a burden for parents as it is for their children.

There is a lot of uncertainty regarding how much to buy. Although the school may issue a generic list, what if your child’s instructor teacher requires more particular items?

When you go shopping for school supplies with your children, you’ll notice that they can be very particular.

So, what are parents to do? Read these tips to make school supply shopping less stressful.

Look around before making a purchase

It is not necessary to have brand-new school supplies.

Pencils and paper have no expiration date. Before buying anything new, make a list of the supplies you already have.

Has your child depleted all of their supplies from the previous year? If not, use up old materials before purchasing new ones.

You most likely have additional supplies sitting around your house, particularly popular goods such as pencils.

Why not bring those materials to school with your child instead of buying all new ones?

If you don’t have any additional supplies on hand this year, here’s a long-term strategy to ensure you have them next year.

There are several items that every student, regardless of grade level, will require. School supply lists usually often include pencils, notebooks, folders, paper, and binders.

The supply and demand principles govern office supply stores.

Because demand for school supplies is strongest during the back-to-school season, you may end up paying more during that time of year.

Throughout the year, keep a watch out for sales. When basic supplies such as pencils and notebooks are on sale, stock up on extra supplies and preserve them for the following year.

Shop Around

You can stretch your bucks even further if you keep an eye out for bargains. On paper, one store may have a fantastic sale.

Another business may be having a fantastic bargain on calculators. There will be no fantastic deals on all of the supplies you require.

If you buy everything on your supply list from a single store, you will overpay for several products.

Going to multiple stores for school supplies may seem like an extra inconvenience to save a few bucks, but consider this:

If you’re purchasing school supplies, new shoes, new clothes, and new devices, won’t you need to go to more than one store anyway?

You will most likely pass or come close to more than one office supply store on your way to get everything you need for a return to school. Make a route plan to save money.

Also, while office supply stores are more likely to provide school supplies, they are not the only stores that sell them. Sometimes you may find great prices on school supplies in unexpected locations.

Utilize Competitor Deals

There are numerous advantages to keeping an eye out for attractive discounts!

If a deal is really, really fantastic, you’re not the only one who has seen it.

Items occasionally sell out, particularly at office supply companies that sell goods for less than a $1!

Many big-box retailers, such as Walmart and Target, accept rival coupons.

If one retailer is out of stock, look for other stores that accept rival coupons. You must, of course, save the sales paperwork and bring them with you.

Take Advantage of Tax-Free Days

Several states in the United States offer a full weekend of tax-free shopping during the back-to-school season.

Sales taxes can account for a significant portion of your spending, especially if you buy a large number of things at once. The following are the dates for participating states:

• Missouri: (August 4–6, 2023)
• New Mexico: (Aug. 4-6, 2023)
• Ohio: (Aug. 4-6, 2023)
• Oklahoma: (Aug. 4-6, 2023)
• South Carolina: (Aug. 4-6, 2023)
• Tennessee: (July 29 – 31, 2023)
• Virginia: (Aug. 4-7, 2023)
• Texas (Aug. 11-13, 2023)
• New Jersey (Aug. 26 – Sep. 04, 2023)
• Alabama: (July 21–23, 2023)
• Arkansas: (Aug. 5-6, 2023)
• Connecticut: (Aug. 20-26, 2023)
• Florida: (July 24 – August 6, 2023)
• Iowa: (Aug. 4-5, 2023)
• Louisiana: ( No Tax-free weekend until July 1, 2025.)
• Maryland: ( August 13–19, 2023)
• Mississippi: (August 25–27, 2023)

As you can see, only 17 of the 50 states are represented.

If you don’t reside in one of these states, think about whether traveling to one for back-to-school shopping makes sense for your family.

The savings might be worth the small hassle, especially if you live close to one of these states.

Uniform Shopping Rules

If your child wears a uniform to school, buying clothes is an entirely new ballgame.

While many parents commend uniforms for making shopping for clothes easier, you should be aware that there is still the possibility of overpaying.

You may buy khaki pants and polo shirts in practically any store that sells clothing, so don’t limit yourself to uniform stores because their costs are frequently marked up.

Do not buy all of your outfits at the start of the year. Purchase enough to get you through the first semester, and then purchase extra afterward. This fulfills two functions.

Dress codes, believe it or not, can change rather frequently.

Due to weather or other conditions, your child may be permitted to wear something that would have been a dress code violation at the start of the year by the middle of the year.

After a year at a school, you will become acquainted with it. Some clothing regulations are fixed in stone, but others appear to change with each complaint filed against them.

The second argument for merely purchasing a semester’s worth of clothing is that youngsters grow faster than adults.

By the middle of the school year, your child may have outgrown the clothes you bought at the start of the year. To address this issue, some parents purchase clothing a size larger than their child’s.

Don’t Buy All of Your Supplies at the Start of the Year

At the tail end of the back-to-school season, shops understand that demand for their leftover back-to-school items is extremely low and won’t increase until the following year, so they start selling things dirt cheap.

Of course, some items must be purchased before the start of the school year, but others are products that you know your child will not require until later in the year.

How can you tell when your child will require the item?

Some materials are labeled as first semester and second semester.

At times, it is clear that some materials are more likely to be used for specific projects than for day-to-day classroom activities.

If all else fails, simply wait and ask your child’s teacher if any materials will not be needed straight away.

Saving Tips for College Goers

College school supplies are a completely different story. The supplies are far more expensive, and you nearly always need to purchase the items on the list.

In college, you will never be asked to provide shared supplies for the entire class.

Even though the upcoming school year for a college education is expensive, there are numerous methods to save.

Take Advantage of Technology Offers

You should never pay full price for devices if you have proof that you are a college student.

Most of these merchants require a college transcript or student identification card as evidence of enrollment, so you’ll need one of those before you can complete your purchase.

Look for the Dell University area on the company’s website to get student discounts on laptops and desktop computers.

Have you ever wondered why so many public schools can afford to buy iPads and MacBooks for their students?

Apple has a unique Apple Education Pricing area on its website where they provide discounted prices for devices such as the iPad and Macbook.

Apple offers these discounts to anyone who can demonstrate that they are a college student.

Never buy books from a Bookstore

If you question a staffer at your on-campus bookshop, you will be told that purchasing your books elsewhere will put you at a disadvantage.

Your professor will tell you that all students should buy books from the bookstore.

This is true in a very small number of circumstances.

In some cases, a school would order its own unique edition of a textbook, which may have different chapters than the standard textbook.

Inquire with your lecturer to see if this is the case.

Because the professor does not benefit if you buy the book through the university bookstore, the professor is an excellent source of information.

If you require an online code with your textbook, you must purchase it new and ensure that the version you are purchasing has a code.

Is it possible to rent your books?

Is it absolutely vital that you buy your books?

Depending on your degree program, you may require textbooks from semester to semester until you graduate. If that is not the case, try renting your books.

When you rent a book, you pay a portion of the price, but you must return it in good condition.

Amazon, Google Play Store, Chegg, eBay, and Book Finder are all wonderful places to buy or rent textbooks online.

Discounts for Students

A student discount is one of the benefits of being a college student.

There are numerous big businesses, as well as local stores and restaurants, that provide student discounts.

Sports teams have even been known to provide discounted student tickets.

To take advantage of these excellent deals, you’ll need a valid student ID card, so make sure it’s up-to-date and always with you.

This advice is applicable during the back-to-school season and beyond.

Spend (a little) money on supplies.

Most college students aren’t just going to class. Many are living on campus or away from their parents for the first year-long the first time.

College students must also balance employment, school, internships, extracurricular activities, and volunteer opportunities.

College students have a major need that younger students do not, and that need is structure.

Spending a little extra on a desk calendar, a personal planner, and closet and desk organizers is worth it if it keeps you sane.

You may also need to buy more expensive clothes, tougher lunchboxes, and a more expensive book bag for college (because you’ll be carrying a computer and considerably heavier books).

College students have particular demands, but many of them are also financially stressed.

This provides an incentive to thoroughly define needs and desires.

Set aside money for the things you definitely need and use the rest to buy some of the things you want.

All of the preceding suggestions, such as keeping track of sales papers, are completely applicable to college purchasing.

Several More Money-Saving Methods

Whether it’s the first day of kindergarten or the first day of college, here are a few more pointers to keep in mind.

• Make a budget. If you don’t have a goal in mind, you’ll always overpay.
• Use a credit card for back-to-school purchases if your credit card provider or the merchant offers special deals or cashback incentives. Make every penny count!
• Many stores provide discounts to consumers who order online and pick up in-store. Take advantage of these discounts if they are available in your area.
• When comparing prices, try using internet resources such as Google or ShopSaavy rather than driving from store to store.
• Consider making back-to-school shopping a collaborative endeavor if you can find a group of friends or relatives who have similar needs. Buying in bulk can sometimes result in savings for everyone. To actually benefit everyone involved, you must have a budget, a well-thought-out plan, and an agreement on how much each individual will give. To avoid misunderstandings, written agreements are preferable.
• Make sure there is a return policy and that you know how long it is, especially for larger goods like electronics and calculators. Open these objects only if you are certain you will keep them. This enables you to continue exploring for better discounts after you’ve made your initial purchases.

Wrapping it Up!

With our ultimate list of back-to-school must-haves and money-saving tips, you and your kids are all set to make a remarkable start to the new academic year.

From stylish backpacks to practical organizational tools and clever money-saving strategies, we hope this blog post has inspired you to tackle the upcoming school year with confidence and enthusiasm.

Embrace the journey ahead, and remember that preparation is the key to success.

Back-to-School Supplies Galore!

The academic season is just around the corner, and at Imprint, we’ve got your back-to-school essentials covered!

From stylish backpacks to fun customizable stationery, we’ve curated an extensive collection of top-quality school supplies that students of all ages will love.

Resources

Admin. “How School Districts Use TeacherLists for School Supply.” TeacherLists Blog, 21 July 2023, www.teacherlists.com/blog/how-school-districts-use-teacherlists-for-school-supply-lists.

A Teacher’s Back-to-School Supply List | Education World. www.educationworld.com/a_curr/profdev/profdev098.shtml.