School essentials: Everything you’ll ever need

IT’S that time of the year again!

Schools have reopened, and students are back in the classrooms. Today, August 29, some 22.6 million public students reported to school for the academic year 2023-2024. 

Today also marks the resumption of full face-to-face classes since the pandemic. 

For the past three years, students mostly attended class online and relied on gadgets to keep up with their curriculum. They were also encouraged to do their assignments digitally. The use of technology for note taking and studying was on rise among learners because of the convenience and efficiency it offered.  

This is why face-to-face classes could require some adjustments for those who had become used to attending lessons through their gadgets. 

To help those making the transition, here’s a guide to what you’ll need when you report to school:

Ballpoint pens

It is evident that we’re living in a digital age where we see the use of gadgets as a form of convenience. This is why some students prefer to take their notes digitally. But despite the convenience that gadgets may provide, we can’t ignore the fact that writing with a pen and paper is much faster and more flexible.

There’s more control with using a ballpoint pen; one can easily write and create illustrations with it. Pens are indeed adaptable, so it’s always best to have them on hand. 

Courtesy: pexels.com / @liviu_c

Pencils

Remember the time when teachers told us to bring a “Mongol 2” pencil for a specific test? Why the need for this particular pencil? 

Whatever the reason, there’s no doubt that pencils are useful and versatile like pens. They can also be used for writing and drawing, and come in many varieties. But unlike a pen, there are a lot more ways to use a pencil. Other than being able to sketch and easily shade with it, there is a reason why a lot of people favor this tool. 

When it comes to fixing our mistakes, pencil marks can be easily removed with just the use of a rubber eraser. 

Courtesy: pexels.com / @Karolina Grabowska

Pencil Sharpener

Whether one is a writer, an artist, or just someone who happens to use a pencil, we all know the hassle of not being able to continue with our work due to an unsharpened and/or broken tip. (Unless you’re someone who likes to bring extra pencils.) 

Courtesy: unsplash.com / @charlesdeluvio

Eraser

Once upon a time, we all once owned an eraser. And more often than not, we ended up poking holes in it or losing it. But despite all those foolish things we’ve done to our eraser, we cannot deny the fact that this material had been very important to us—especially during all those times we attempted to perfect our “masterpiece” for our MAPEH class. 

So those going back to school surely need one. Keep in mind that erasers aren’t only limited to the rubber ones. Erasers can be correction tape or our makeshift nail-polish: correction fluid. 

Courtesy: pexels.com / @Karolina Grabowska

Highlighters/Colored Markers

Some students can be very artsy when it comes to taking notes or when making a project, so they use highlighters or colored markers. But for those who aren’t, these will also come in handy because they can be used to draw attention to an important passage in our notes or textbooks. 

Courtesy: unsplash.com / @Ylanite Koppens

Scissors

The purpose of scissors is to cut, but when you get creative with it, you can end up with something beautiful. Essential for crafts (and also for MAPEH class), scissors can be used not only for paper, but also to cut plastics, yarn, and the like. Hearing the word “cut” may sound unsafe, but you will be fine as long as you use the scissors properly. 

Courtesy: unsplash.com / @Lorencius Stefanus

Glue

Admit it—we’d all played with glue before. Some put glue on their palms to make it seem like their skin is peeling off, while some used it as lipstick. But playtime aside, having glue on hand is just as important as owning a pair of scissors. You may have a nice piece of decoration, but without glue, how will you be able to stick it on your class project? 

Courtesy: unsplash.com / @charlesdeluvio

Pencil Case

When you’ve gathered all the basic necessities, you now need a place where we can safely store them. 

Courtesy: unsplash.com / @Nik

Notebook

Taking down notes is just as important as participating in class. Notes can be your memory retainer; not only will these help you understand the lesson more, these will also serve as a reviewer for future quizzes and exams. Just don’t forget to list down the important stuff. 

Courtesy: unsplash.com / @Mike Tinnion

Calculator

It’s not really a necessity for everyone, but if you are taking the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Accountancy and Business Management, or General Academic Strand, then you probably know how much you need this. It is not only handy for difficult computations, it is a time-saver as well. 

Courtesy: unsplash.com / @charlesdeluvio

School bag

And last but not least, the school bag. 

A school bag is the most essential of them all as this will serve as a storage that will keep your school items safe and dust-free. With a school bag, you can also carry your school supplies with ease wherever you go.  

Courtesy: unsplash.com / @K8

What school supply is the most essential for you? Let us know in the comments.

With reports from Deanna Lorraine Macaranas