As someone who has already been through college twice and is now on her third degree, I will tell you there were a lot of trial and error when it came to being prepared for school again, especially at an older age. One thing I would tell my younger self is to keep it simply. You don't need too much of one thing to get through school but at least have one of everything that you may never know when you need it. Also, get what makes your studying environment comfortable.