It's hard to know exactly what you need for your classes before you actually go to them. However, there are some things that you always find yourself wanting at some point in the semester.

To save you the trouble of coming up with a list of things you think you need, use the following list while shopping for school supplies. That way you can [hopefully] get all your shopping done in one trip rather than realizing you forgot something as soon as you got home.

1. The Perfect Planner

Some people use them religiously, while others use it sporadically. Whatever your version of the perfect planner is get one ahead of time. There are plenty of cute, yet practical options online that you are not going to find in stores. Getting it in advance also allows you to set it up by adding all the important dates you know ahead of time.

2. Post-It Notes

They are useful for both school and non-school related tasks. Post-It Notes come in handy for just about anything. Whether you are leaving a note for your roommate, or just marking important information in your textbook they are an essential. With fun colors and patterns find one you like and be sure to actually use it!

3. Highlighters

The easiest way to see important information in a text is to highlight it. Buy a pack with multiple colors, carry a few to class with you, and leave some at home. Keep them somewhere close to your desk or wherever you study, so you can easily grab them it needed.

4. Mechanical Pencils/Pens

Invest in a few mechanical pencils. You will probably lose one at some point in the year, so make sure to have a few backups. Get a package of pens in different colors. A red pen is great for editing papers, black/blue are great for class assignments, and the other colors are nice to have to make notes in the margins of your notes. Don't forget something to put them in, too!

5. Backpack

You'll need something to carry all these supplies in.

7. 5 Subject College-Ruled Notebook

Unless you have your heart set on separate notebooks for each of your classes, you don't need to buy five separate notebooks. Stay away from wide-ruled notebooks. You can fit more notes in a college-ruled one.

8. Folders

It's important to keep assignments after they are due. With technology, anything can disappear at any minute. Keep a hard copy of essays and other assignments in a folder designated for the class they pertain to.

9. USB Flash Drive

Technology is becoming more and more a part of course curriculums. You may find yourself needing one of these throughout your semesters in college.

10. Index Cards

Flashcards are a great study tool. Not only using them to study, but making them also helps you learn the information for your classes. Make sure to buy some and keep them somewhere that you will remember you have them. This way you won't forget about them until the day before a big test!