If you’ve read my recent post, The Easiest Way To Maximize Your Next Study Session, then you’re almost a master of study sessions. But one thing I skimmed over in that post was the 10 essential supplies.
Having the right supplies during a study session is one of the most important steps before you begin studying. In this post, I’m going to delve into 10 things you need to bring to study sessions, and how they’ll help you maximize your study efforts.
A backpack
If you’re having a study session at a friend’s house, a library, a café, or anywhere not in your home, you need a sturdy backpack to carry all your supplies.
Your school backpack should work perfectly, as long as it’s in good condition. I use a JanSport laptop backpack, and it’s lasted me through all my classes, study sessions, and trips.
Your notes
As a student, your own notes are one of the most valuable things you can take out of a class. If you have some well-written, effective notes, make sure to bring them to your study session!
If you’re not a pro at taking useful notes yet, do check out this post:
Stationary
A good student is always striving to improve themselves and their outputs; you should always have some pencils and highlighters handy so you can add to your notes while studying.
If you have a truly effective study session, you should be able to learn new things and make new connections; to make sure they stick in your brain, note them down!
Some stationary I use and 100% recommend are these (you won’t go wrong with these):
Scratch paper
Scratch paper is always necessary when you’re studying, as they serve many purposes. You can use them to brainstorm ideas, solve complex math problems, draw diagrams, take note of distractions, and more.
You don’t need to bring a stack of paper to a study session, of course. Simply grab a half-empty notebook lying around and bring it along. It’ll prove useful, trust me!
A whiteboard
A whiteboard is an extremely underrated but helpful supply to have at study sessions. If you don’t like bringing and wasting paper, a reusable whiteboard is a great choice.
Whiteboards allow you to make mistakes and change up what you’re writing in an easier way than notebooks, as everything is erasable. This means that brainstorming, diagrams, and drawing connections, etc are extremely easy on a whiteboard.
This notebook-sized whiteboard is the perfect size to bring along during study sessions. Or, you could create your own whiteboard by putting a piece of paper inside a sheet protector. However, I personally recommend investing in a real whiteboard, as it is generally much easier to use and maintain.
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A laptop
Students nowadays carry their laptops everywhere, and it’s with good reason! Many of our notes, resources, and other important information are all stored online, and it’s essential to have them with us while studying.
Especially if you have digital notes or any online resources, definitely bring your laptop along to your study sessions. Just make sure to keep it safe!
Your planner
Planning ahead is an essential step before your study sessions, and you should’ve planned out your who, what, when, where, and how before studying.
Arguably the most important out of the 5 is the what. Before tackling the study session, figure out your “weak spots” and what you need to focus on. These should be your priority tasks the entire time.
If you have an academic planner handy, write down all the nuances (like priority tasks, main topics, important words/concepts, etc).
You can get a free downloadable Study Session Planner in my Freebie Library, where you can download many freebies (planners, organizers, templates, and more!).
Headphones
If you’re studying alone in a public space, you may find it difficult to concentrate with background noise. But at the same time, the environment of the space is calming and warm, so you don’t want to leave.
If this is you, I know how you feel. And it is also why I decided to invest in a pair of high-quality, durable, noise-canceling headphones that can help me stay focused while working.
The Bose QuietComfort Wireless Bluetooth Headphones are the most comfortable and high-quality headphones I’ve owned, and I truly recommend it to students out there who are looking for a pair of headphones.
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Snacks
A few healthy snacks are always welcome while studying. They’re great sources of energy and motivation during a study session, and can even help fuel your brainpower.
Here are some no-fail snacks I like to bring to study sessions:
- Plain popcorn
- Grapes
- Carrots and hummus
- Cherry tomatoes
- Dried fruits
- Nuts
A comfy jacket
In the cooler seasons, it’s always comforting to have a jacket– or even a blanket– with you while studying. It can keep you comfortable while studying, which I find helps keep me focused and efficient while studying.
So the next time you’re heading out for a productive study session, grab a jacket or a blanket on your way out! And it’s best to wear them in layers, so you can remove the jacket when it gets warm.
Conclusion
Don’t forget to hop over to this post to learn the exact process you should follow during a study session! And now that you’ve got all the supplies and instructions you need for a productive and effective study session, you’re ready to ace that next test.
