Getting back into the swing of classes after a long winter break can be rough. I compiled a list of my fav back-to-school essentials that will help ease the transition from relaxation mode to grind time.
- Calendars
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Calendars are a personal must-have. In addition to the notes and calendar apps on my phone, I also utilize a wall calendar. When receiving syllabi at the beginning of the semester, I find it very helpful to write out all of my assignments and projects. This way, no deadline can creep on me and I can plan accordingly to complete coursework ahead of time during my busiest weeks.
- Mildliners and mechanical pencils
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Who said notetaking had to be boring? Mechanical pencils have been my tried-and-true, preferred writing utensil since middle school. I find that my handwriting is neater and more legible with mechanical pencils as compared with traditional pencils. Additionally, I prefer using mildliners instead of traditional highlighters, because I find that they smear and bleed through the page less.
- iPad and Apple Pencil
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Over the summer, I splurged on an iPad and Apple Pencil to use for schoolwork and I am so happy I did. Using an iPad makes it very easy to share notes with classmates and download PDFs from the class websites. An iPad negates the need for many heavy notebooks, so another added bonus that it presents is that it lightens the overall load of my backpack. I tend to use the app, Notability the most, because its interface is the most user-friendly and the notes taken with it can automatically be backed up to an independent Google Drive for extra security.
- Elderberry syrup, vitamin C and hand sanitizer
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Flu season is upon us! Considering that I work a part-time job in a hospital, I take every precaution to boost my immune system and stay healthy during the semester- nothing is worse than being sick during exam week! Elderberry syrup and vitamin C are both rich in antioxidants and vitamins and minerals that are associated with supporting the immune system. Hand sanitizer is another one of my essentials to help with killing off germs in a pinch.
- Folders and notebooks
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In case of an emergency, I always keep a small, backup notebook in my bag in the event that my iPad fails me. I also keep a folder to temporarily store important documents and prevent assignments from wrinkling before turning them in.
With my back-to-school essentials in mind, I encourage each and every one of you reading this article to go out and totally crush this semester! You’ve got it girl!