Make Your School Supplies Last

Do your school supplies fall apart half-way into the year? Want to make your supplies look awesome? Read this guide to find out how to make your supplies look awesome, year-round.

Steps

  1. Always go for the better brands, unless there are none available. Elmer's, Mead, Five Star, Crayola, JanSport, Bridgeport, Dixon Ticonderoga (found at most Big Lots stores nationwide), and PaperMate (especially the Mirado wood pencil) are some examples of good brands. Staples Better Binders are also great.
  2. Always get plastic folders. Plastic folders last longer and do not tear. Try not to doodle on them. You should only write your name, ID, class/hour, and/or subject on them. You can also put your locker number in case your binder gets lost. Try to find plastic folders with holes, as they can be placed in your 3-ring binders and act as a homework folder within each binder.
  3. Use a pencil box or bag. You can get a pencil box for about a dollar, but a bag might last longer. The upside of pencil bags is that you can put them in your binder. They also don't break if they accidentally fall or if someone steps on them. Bags are better because they fit in your locker and desk, as well, and some teachers don't allow boxes, so try to stick with the bags.
  4. As an alternative to a pencil box/bag, consider a backpack with enough compartments to accommodate bulk pencils (wood and mechanical), pens of all colors, and colored pencils.
  5. Keep your planner in your binder so it doesn't get torn up.
  6. Keep papers in your binder or in a folder. Try not to stuff things in the pockets, for papers might get lost.
  7. Never write on book covers, especially not with Sharpies (or any types of permanent marker). Actually, don't draw on your supplies for that matter! Making holes and marks all over everything creates wear and tear and shortens the life of your supplies.
  8. Don't throw your stuff around. This one should be obvious. Don't try to hit a geeky kid with your pencil or toss your ruler to friend across the room. Keep track of your stuff and be responsible.
  9. Keep your backpack/bookbag nice and neat. Set aside one day every week (Friday is good so you can return to school organized on monday) to clean out your backpack and locker if you have one. Also, clean out your binder every term/semester/month to make sure that you aren't the person with a binder that looks like it's ready to explode. but check with a teacher before throwing anything away; you might need it later.
  10. Don't store food long-term in your desk/locker/backpack. However, you may want to keep some granola bars or something available in case you get hungry.
  11. Don't throw them at each other, it's a good way to lose them. So make sure the shot is worthwhile.
  12. Keep track of your stuff!

Tips

  • Even if you are on a budget, sometimes you have to make a sacrifice. Go for the good brands. They're higher quality.
  • Avoid buying paper folders. If you are the kind of person who never throws anything out, papers will add up in your folder, and it will rip. Plastic folders are the best choice.
  • Avoid putting sharpeners in the same compartment/case as your other writing utensils. The graphite from pencil leads tend to coat your utensils after a few weeks. (If it's a pencil sharpener without a fillings holder, don't worry about it). If you store pencils with other supplies as well, cover the tips of sharpened ones with tape so the graphite won't get inside your pencil case.
  • If you have a little more money, try buying cool supplies that are unlikely to be owned by others. However, you are at a risk for stealing if someone really does take a fancy to your items and doesnt give them back.
  • Do not lend things to the people you know will lose everything! This is the easiest way to lose your school supplies over the course of the year.
  • Put your name on everything so that if it gets lost, someone will find it and can return it. If you don't want to use markers, consider using labels. You can get a label maker at most scrap-booking or supply stores.
  • Its better to borrow people's stuff, than to let them borrow yours. Try not to give your things to people who will probably lose it.
  • You could get a separate folder, and label it "Graded Papers", so that later you can put it away at home. It also helps take up less space in your backpack.
  • Don't ever leave your pencils on your desk, you may lose them. Don't stuff your papers in your backpack, they will of course crumple up!. Don't leave food that may rot inside your backpack, it will leave a horrible smell. If the food is still fresh, then eat it.
  • Be gentle with your equipment so it lasts as long as possible, make sure you do not use it in a improper way, or else it will be damaged.
  • Use a separate folder for all homework so you don't have to take home all your binders.
  • Avoid shoving your books into your desk. They may tear. Instead, open the desk fully and place them carefully in. Organize your homework, school papers and textbooks. Most damages are done while thrown carelessly into the backpack.

Things You'll Need

  • Binder
  • Folder
  • Black or Blue Pens
  • Pencils
  • Markers
  • Crayons
  • Colored Pencils
  • Paper
  • Red Pens
  • Ruler
  • Locker or Desk
  • Backpack
  • Pencil Case
  • Dividers

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