High School Supply Shopping Guide 2020
Many students this year are struggling to plan their upcoming semester. With as many reopening plans as there are schools, organizing yourself for your classes can be stressful. Here’s a guide to shopping for your school supplies, based on which learning model your school with use this year.
Online School Only
For all you online learners, most materials will be on your device, so you won’t have as many hard-copy papers to store. This list is to ensure your comfort while learning from home.
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- 1 accordion folder: since most papers will be PDFs online, the only papers to store will be those you choose to print. One multi-pocket folder should do the trick.
- Highlighters: if you do choose to print papers, highlighters are great for annotating passages.
- Pens and pencils: again, you’ll probably be typing most things. But you’ll definitely need pens and pencils if you choose to take notes, and for completing math problems on paper.
- 1 multi-subject notebook: store all your notes in one place, but have dividers for each of your separate classes.
- Sticky notes: I use these to leave myself reminders. They stick to a computer screen quite well!
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- Calculator, ruler, and protractor: if you need them for math and don’t already have them.
- Comfortable earbuds: come in handy for watching lectures when surrounded by noisy siblings and pets.
- Blue-light blocking glasses: definitely optional, but may be nice to have if you spend long hours staring at a screen.
- Water bottle: you still have to stay hydrated!
- Assignment tracking system: whether you prefer a paper planner or an online calendar, you’ll need a way to manage your assignments and time.
Partly Online, Partly In Person
If you belong to this wide middle category, you likely have a confusing weekly schedule. We can’t fix that, but this supply list should at least help you feel prepared.
- 1 plastic folder and 1 one-subject notebook for each class: with an altered schedule, you may not have all of your classes every day. Having separate folders and notebooks allows you to only carry what you need that day.
- Pens, pencils, highlighters: see note above
- Calculator, ruler, and protractor: if you need them and don’t already have them
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- 1 Agenda/Assignment tracking system: whether you prefer a paper planner or an online calendar, you’ll need a way to manage your weekly schedule and homework time.
- 2-3 Reusable face masks: if you attend school in person at all, you’ll likely need a face mask. Get reusable ones which can be washed, which saves money and the environment.
- Hand sanitizer gel and surface sanitizing wipes: you can never be too careful. Sanitizer is important.
- Hand lotion: in case your hands get dried out from so much hand-washing.
- Water bottle: you still have to stay hydrated!
My school is reopening with a modified in-person schedule, and these are the supplies I plan to use.
All In Person
If you’re one of the few who gets to attend school in person, your school supply list will stay similar to past years–just with a few added items for personal health.
- 1 binder for each advanced class: for classes with lots of paperwork, binders are useful organization tools. Just make sure to grab loose-leaf paper to fill them with.
- 1 notebook and plastic folder for each regular class
- Pens, pencils, and highlighters: for taking neat in-class lecture notes
- Calculator, ruler, and protractor: if you need them and don’t already have them
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- 1 Agenda/Assignment tracking system: whether you prefer a paper planner or an online calendar, you’ll need a way to manage your time.
- 4-5 reusable face masks: you’ll need a face mask for each day of the week, and at the end of the week you can wash your masks for reuse.
- Hand sanitizer gel and surface sanitizing wipes: you can never be too careful. Sanitizer is important.
- Hand lotion: in case your hands get dried out from so much hand-washing.
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- Water bottle: you still have to stay hydrated!
- 1 durable backpack: to carry all your essentials through school!
Discussion Questions:
- What are your school supply must-haves? Are they on this list?
- What’s one thing you would add to each of these lists?
- Which category are you in, and how do you feel about it?
