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Back to School Essentials: College & Grad School Edition 🎓
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Ongachi
Whether you're a college freshman, returning undergrad, or starting/continuing grad school with zero free time — this list has you covered. As a current graduate student, these are the real essentials that help me stay focused, organized, and a littl...
Sections
4
 
Desk Setup
 
College Survival Tools
 
Backpack & Bags
 
Bag Essentials

Desk Setup

Create a study zone that keeps you focused (even when your brain says nope). These tools helped me actually sit down and get things done

 
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I have had this desk for YEARS and let me tell you this thing is sturdy! I love that it is a standing desk and I can set it to the perfect standing height when I get tired of sitting
Rectangular Electric Height Adjustable Standing Desk | FlexiSpot
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I love this ultra wide monitor! With my ADHD brain I can add so many separate applications on one screen instead of flipping between apps and stressing. The screen is matt but the text is so clear. The colors are also very accurate when connecting wi...
BenQ Designer 34" Class LCD Monitor
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I move a lot when I am sitting at my desk for many hours and this chair allows me to do that in a fun but effective way.
Primy Criss Cross ADHD Office Chair with Wheels
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This is perfect light bar for when it starts getting dark and your eyes start getting tired. It doesn't blast me straight into my eyes and points down which also is helpful when jotting things down at my desk as well
Quntis Eye-Caring Computer Monitor Light Bar
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These speakers are great! They get the job done and are very clear
Creative Pebble V2 Desktop Speakers
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College Survival Tools

Grad school is a different beast — more papers, more stress, and less time. These tools helped me get work done, stay organized, manage burnout, and keep my life together when my schedule didn’t.

 
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I cant do anything without my laptop  ❤️ I love this laptop because its able to handle my 100 tabs and apps open and still run at lighting speed. Plus this MacBook m4 pro lasts so long so you will be okay with using it all day
Apple 2024 MacBook Pro Laptop with M4 Pro
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Honestly Craft Doc is the BEST document organizer there is! Unlike other programs close to it, it is easy to use, has great organizing systems, and great task management. I really like it because it doesn't make me feel overwhelmed to use  and there isn't a huge learning curve so I use it ALL the time
Personal Space for Notes, Tasks, and Big Ideas
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You gotta have a calender to keep your schedule in check and the one I recommend is Google Calendar! You can customize your calender and make calenders within for certain tasks like due dates or events. Great for keeping your life in check
Google Calendar
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I love these open ear earphones. They are so lightweight that I even forget they are on my ear. The sound is great and since they are open ear I am able to keep track of my surroundings especially when walking to the car at night after class
TOZO OpenEarRing True Open Ear Headphones
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When I really need to lock in and block the world out I use these headphones. They also come in such cute colors it was so hard to choose from
Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones, Smoky Pink
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Perfect for keeping your wording and sentences in check. Whether you’re writing an important email or jotting down a quick note this app is perfect especially with spell check
Grammarly
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I got these randomly during prime day since I couldn’t have my other earphones but IM IN LOVE! I haven’t stopped using them ever since! These are so lightweight and if nothing is playingI honestly forget that I put them on. The sound is great and sin...
TOZO OpenEarRing Wireless Open Ear Headphones
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Backpack & Bags

Perfect bags for keeping all you need to bring in perfect shape while still looking real good

 
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This bag is perfect for taking to class or just everyday on the go trips. It is sleek, has a section for my laptop, and enough space for all my class items like books or snacks
Stylish Laptop Backpack for Women 15.6 Inch
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Cute convertible tote bag which has perfect space for all items and has a padded section to keep your laptop or tablet safe. I am always grabbing this bag to use
Carhartt Convertible Backpack Tote, Gravel
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Bag Essentials

These are the practical and lowkey lifesaving things I kept in my bag all semester long that were so worth it

 
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You gotta have a cable in your bag for all your needs in case your phone or other devices need a quick charge. This one is perfect since it has multiple types to plug
LISEN 240W USB-C Charge Silicon Cable
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Along with carrying a cable you gotta have a charger block if you are able to plug your charger into a wall outlet to charge all your devices
Anker 323 Charger (33W)
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You always need to keep a snack in your bag in case you get a little hungry or just need to snack on something to keep you on focus
MadeGood Chocolate Chip Granola Bars, 6 ct
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Just in case you some how get a paper cut or something its always good to just keep in case of emergency
Welly Quick Fix Colorwash First Aid Kit, 2 Pack
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My laptop is my life so I got this laptop sleeve for some added protection
Pink Macbook Case, Pink Laptop Sleeve, Quilted Laptop Sleeve, ,Pink Cozy Laptop iPad Sleeve, MacBook Sleeve, Aesthetic Laptop Case,13''-14'
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STAY HYDRATED! I can't go anywhere without carrying some water with me and this bottle has been one of my favorite to take with me wherever I go
Owala FreeSip Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle 32oz
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For those rainy and even hot days, you gotta keep an umbrella for you to use just in case. This one also has a carabiner which helps with attaching it to your bag or attach other items on it
QWB TUMAAOTU Inverted Windproof Umbrella
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