Think a pen and a notebook are enough for college? Aw, that’s adorable. Here’s what you actually need to survive your first semester — and no, caffeine and chargers are not optional. We’ve mixed 4 budget-friendly must-haves with 4 premium game-changers, so you’re prepped whether you’re broke or ballin’.

Survival level: caffeinated

No need for barista skills. Just one button and your life gets ~5% less chaotic. Perfect for dorm life or late-night cram sessions. You’ll thank it during midterms.

☕ Get a dual-use one (pods + ground coffee) if you’re fancy like that.

Nothing screams “unprepared” like your phone dying mid-class (or mid-meme).

A solid 10,000 mAh+ power bank = peace of mind and uninterrupted scrolling... I mean studying.

🔋 Bonus if it’s solar-powered – apocalypse ready.

Whether you're pulling an all-nighter or binge-watching, this tiny lamp keeps you focused without annoying your roommate.

💡 USB-powered = plug straight into your laptop.

Yes, Google Calendar exists. No, it doesn’t spark joy.

A minimalist, undated planner makes you feel like you’ve got your life together — even when you don’t.

📓 Perfect for brain dumps, class tracking, or manifesting survival.

Say goodbye to 10-pound textbooks. Read, highlight, and actually finish your assigned reading without staring into a backlit screen.

📖 Waterproof. Glare-free. Battery lasts longer than your motivation.

📚 Thinking about a Kindle for college?
If you’re tired of lugging heavy textbooks or wasting paper on printed slides, a Kindle might be your new best friend.
Check out our Kindle e-reader comparison guide to see which model fits your budget, study habits, and binge-reading goals !

Hunching over your laptop like Gollum? Hard pass. An adjustable stand and wireless keyboard setup saves your spine and makes you look like you’ve got your sh*t together.

🖥️ Also makes your Zoom setup look 200% cooler.

Tune out the noise. Lock into the lecture. Escape your roommate’s playlist from hell. This is the investment piece if you want to keep your sanity and pass your finals.

🎧 Perfect for studying, commuting, crying on the floor. No judgment.

For students who want to take notes and sketch out chaos diagrams mid-lecture, this is your dream device. Touchscreen + stylus = digital notebook meets laptop. Great for productivity, creativity, and pretending you're focused on Zoom.

📝 Look for models like the HP Envy x360, Lenovo Yoga, or Surface Pro that support pen input + tablet mode.

💡 Bonus: no more printing lecture slides “just to highlight” them. Tap > scribble > done.

🎬 BONUS TIP – when studying fails, stream smarter Let’s be real: you won’t only be using these tools to study. Sometimes, your brain just needs a break (or a 6-hour binge session). That’s where Prime comes in.

🔥 Grab an Amazon Prime subscription for free fast shipping + access to:

Because you deserve more than just textbooks and ramen noodles.