A Few of My Favorite Things

Everyone has their studying essentials - even if they use the bare minimum of essentials. Over the last year-and-a-half, I have aquired various different supplies that I have grown exceptionally fond of. So fond, in fact, that these have become my studying essentials, and I can't have a study session without them close by. As I said, everyone has their own studying essentials and not everyone finds the same supplies necessary or useful during a study session, but I want to share a few of my favorite things and explain why they have become so crucial in my studies.

1. Staedler triplus fineliners (upper left) 10 pack. I discovered these gems when a college peer of mine pulled hers out before the start of a class. I tried one out and instantly fell in love; in addition to the ten-pack featured in this photo, I also own the twenty-pack, a six-pack of neon colors, and a six-pack of pastel colors. What can I say? I have a pen addiction.

Anyway, I keep this pack in my bookbag at all times because it has the ten most basic colors - including yellow and brown. They write smoothly and their triangular shape make them easy and comfortable to hold while writing. The only downfall to these pens is that sometimes, depending on the thickness of the paper they're being used on, they bleed through. 😑 They can be bought on Amazon for $15.49 or at Staples for $12.99.

2. Post-It Notes. As an English major I do a lot of reading, and I am one that prefers physical texts to electornic tests so Post-It Notes have become my best friend. They make it easy to take additional notes and comments to place in important sections of my texts. I personally prefer to use pink and purple - occasionally green and blue - colored Post-It Notes because they stand out; they catch my attention when I'm reading which makes it easier for me to find the information I'm looking for when I'm studying.

3. Coffee. Ha! Seems silly, right? No way! I drink several cups of coffee a day. Probably more than I should, honestly. But in order to push through my school work and push through my domestic life, coffee is my God-send.

4. Bic wite•out Mini (below the Post-It Notes). I rarely write in pencil - unless I'm in a math course - so it's inevitable that I'm going to make mistakes. And while I know erasable pens exist, I haven't found any that I'm satisfied with. So none of my pens erase. I carry one of these beauties with me in my bookbag - a blue one - and keep this purple one in my desk at home. I got the pack of two at Dollar Tree for a dollar, but I know they can be bought elsewhere.

5. Sharpie fine-tip pen (below the wite•out). This is a recent love. Recent as in about a week-long love affair. I mentioned this pen in a previous post - a pack of two can be bought at Kmart for $5.29. These pens are smooth to write with and they have a rubber grip that allows for an easy handle. I've used mine in a variety of different notebooks and I've found that they don't bleed through, which is really nice.

6. Zebra Midliners (below the Sharpie pen). Another recent love. These don't bleed through paper (at least none of the paper I've used with these) and they don't smear pen ink when they're used. I seem to have misplaced my light pink midliner 😞 but I keep these with me in my bag to use when I'm on campus because of how smooth they are and the fact that they don't smear or bleed. They also have a thin marker side which is useful for writing headings or for underlining.

7. Project Planner. I don't use a typical weekly planner (though I used to) and started using this planner at the start of my spring semester at Penn State. With a full course load and a crazy, hectic domestic life, I would never get anything done without having this planner. I don't leave my house without it, and I never start a study session without it open on my desk. I simply can't! It has a cute, spacious interior outline that allows me to jot down appointment, assignments, meetings, etc. and due dates, and I love it! I bought mine at Staples for around $8.

So there you have it! Those are my studying essentials. 😀 As I said, everyone has a different style of studying and everyone has their own preferences for supplies.

#supplies #tips #advice