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These Back-To-School Essentials Will Get You Through the School Year in Style
From classroom staples to dorm room must-haves.
There’s no better way to start a new semester at university than by arriving on campus with fresh school supplies in tow, and a dorm room decorated with homey touches to return to in the evenings.
Before class is even in session, half the fun of heading to university is checking off back-to-school essentials from your shopping list. Whether you’re a first-year commuter or a dorm-room dweller, we’ve rounded up nine must-have items every post-secondary student should shop, from backpacks and pencil cases to desk accessories and one very necessary coffee machine for those long, studious nights to come.
Lacey Bows Duvet Cover, Urban Outfitters
Cozy up in your dorm room this semester with Urban Outfitters’ Lacey Bows Duvet Cover. Crafted from lightweight cotton, this chic bedding is embellished with textural bows stitched onto its top panel for a coquette-ish touch. And don’t forget your pillows! Complete the set with the matching Lacey Bows Shams.
Price: $169 – 219
Nespresso Vertuo Pop+, Nespresso
Caffeine and college go hand in hand, which is why having a coffee machine is non-negotiable for java fanatics. With its compact design, Nespresso’s Vertuo Pop+ machine is a dorm-room must-have that promises not to take up too much space. Whether you’re brewing a quick shot of espresso or a mug full of long coffee, the Vertuo Pop+ pours six cup sizes of delicious coffee with the touch of a single button.
Price: $99 (on sale)
Metro Backpack, Monos
One thing worth splurging on during the back-to-school season? A sturdy backpack. Complete with a zippered pouch, two interior pockets, a 15-inch laptop compartment and a waterproof privacy compartment ideal for sweaty gym clothes, the vegan leather Metro Backpack by Monos is the ultimate commuter’s bag. From this limited-edition banana pudding colourway to classic carbon black, there’s a stylish match for every type of student.
Price: $249 (on sale)
Filtering Water Bottle, Brita
Trekking from classroom to classroom, you’re sure to work up a sweat. To help you stay cool and hydrated, you’ll need a trusty water bottle like Brita’s 26-ounce Filtering Water Bottle. Inside, an activated carbon block filters out anything you don’t want in your drinking water. Find the nearest water station on campus, fill up your bottle and you’re ready for class.
Price: $43
Large Weekly/Monthly Student Planner, Five Star
For first-year students and seniors alike, staying organized is crucial to surviving the school year. This Five Star planner covers July 2024 to June 2025 for your convenience. Plus, you can go digital by syncing your planner to your phone with the Five Star Study app, where you can scan your planner’s pages to track your assignments and meetings using your devices, too.
Price: $21
Puffy 16" Recycled Laptop Sleeve, Baggu
Available in 16 fun patterns and playful designs at Urban Outfitters, Baggu’s Puffy 16-inch Recycled Laptop Sleeves may just be the cutest of them all. Safely tote your tech around campus inside these quilt-textured cases topped with a secure closing flap and a hook-and-loop fastener to make a stylish statement at your school.
Price: $44
Office Supplies Set, UPIHO
From scissors to staples and push pins to tape, UPIHO’s Office Supplies Set is stocked with all the desk accessories a student could ever need. What’s more, this convenient kit is available in nine stylish colourways, including baby blue, hot pink and purple, so you can match your supplies to your dorm room aesthetic for a cohesive look.
Price: $24
Silicone Pencil Case, Mr. Pen
What’s a back-to-school haul without a cute pencil case? Shoppable in blue, pink and beige, this Silicone Pencil Case by Mr. Pen is a sleek and compact option that’ll easily slot into any school backpack or tote. Its smooth exterior surface is easy to clean, so it’ll last all year long.
Price: $11
Rånen Basket, Ikea
If you’ll be staying on campus and using a communal shower, a shower caddy is absolutely essential. For a durable yet budget-friendly option, look no further than Ikea’s waterproof Rånen Basket. Designed with drainage holes on the sides and bottom, rest assured all your everything shower necessities will stay fresh and dry inside this practical basket.
Price: $4
The Mini Everything Pan, Kilne
Trying to regularly make home-cooked meals in an undoubtedly tiny kitchen as as student isn’t the most exciting way to pass the time. Until now. Canadian kitchenware brand. Kilne just introduced mini versions of its Everything Pan and Everything Pot that are so adorable, you’ll want to use them.
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