Nearly every school supply is available for under $10. This is great because that means you can spend your funds in other areas. However, it’s still important to understand which school supplies are essential for a year at college.
1. Tape
Tape and staples are definitely a must-have for your desk. Luckily, both cost less than $10. Scotch is the obvious choice for a tape dispenser, which is also relatively inexpensive.
Walmart has a $3.34 deal for a 3-pack of Scotch tape!
2. Staples
A stapler, staples and staple remover fit within our price range, so they are all items we will want to add to our supplies for the next four years. The Staples brand standard full-strip combo offers a stapler, 210 staples, and a staple remover. The stapler can staple up to 20 sheets of paper at once, for optimal utility.
Walmart sells it for less than $7!
3. Command strips
Command strips are a must for school. They are super cheap, useful and versatile. They maximize dorm space by allowing you to move items onto walls, and they are a great tool for safely setting up decor. Command strips are very easy to use, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Here’s a great deal from The Container Store, which will help you set up decor without damage for just $2.49!
4. Lap desk
Lap desks are a great option for students who like to work on their lap while lying in bed, or hanging out in the dorm room. I would highly recommend picking up a lap desk, especially if you use a laptop a lot throughout the semester. Prolonged use of your laptop will result in overheating. Your laptop needs to breath, and the flat, hard surface of your lap desk will allow it to do so.
5. Desk caddy
A desk caddy to organize your pens, pencils, sticky notes and other supplies is a great investment for under $10. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to keep their desk organized. It makes organization so much easier.
Organize your writing supplies with less than $5 with this deal at The Container Store!
6. Sticky notes
Sticky notes are also a must-have for any college student. They come in a variety of colors, shapes and sizes, making organization and identification in your notes fun and easy.
Standard square sticky notes make it easy to write notes on a full-size calendar. Divider sticky notes allow you to mark important information in your planner, and tiny bookmark sticky notes are helpful when reading and sorting through textbooks.
Walmart has a wide array of post-its, this one being the cheapest!
7. Dry erase board
A dry erase board is another inexpensive item to have in the dorm. It can come in handy when writing down reminders, writing an inspirational quote, creating a funny message or picture, or playing a game of hangman when you’re bored. The dry erase board offers a lot of options for its cost. It’s a steal for sure.
Check out this dry erase board from FiveStar that costs just $6.79.
8. Planner
Planners are super important to have at school. They help you keep a schedule, which is needed to successfully navigate through the world of college. With a planner, it is easy to write down important dates, reminders, daily routines, or a goal/milestone you would like to accomplish. The planner is one of the most important items you will bring to school.
This monthly planner from Day-Timer is only $5.99!
9. Highlighters
Highlighters are also a great tool to have for keeping notes and marking important information. Their cheap price and many colors warrant putting them on this list. They are convenient and super handy. The neon colors really help highlighter marks stand out from your other notes.
Blick is selling highlighters for $1.75 each!
10. Laptop sleeve
A laptop sleeve is a great way to protect your laptop from the elements. It’s an expensive piece of hardware you don’t want to get dirty or damaged. Luckily, there’s a cheap method to keep it that way.
Jet.com has laptop sleeves for less than $5!
